POLICE are asking for the public's help with a spring campaign to cut cruelty to birds and animals.

Wildlife experts say crimes against wild animals reach a peak in May and June, with offences ranging from illegal poisoning and stealing chicks to egg collecting and badger baiting.

Lancashire Constabulary's wildlife officer, PC Maria Thompson, told the Citizen: "Even visitors from afar are not safe. Swallows, housemartins and sand martins all arrive from Africa to breed here in the spring. Last year there were several incidents of nest destruction."

Swallows tend to nest inside buildings, and housemartins nest under the eaves and the droppings can be a problem. "While it is legal to wash away the droppings, it is illegal to remove or destroy the nest if it is being built or used by the bird," warned PC Thompson. "With a few exceptions, this is true of any wild bird."

Last year a Burnley man was fined £1,200 for possession of 70 wild birds' eggs and for disturbing birds on their nests.

"Spring is also the breeding season, when unscrupulous falconers raid nests and remove young birds to be sold when they are mature.

But, says PC Thompson, the net is closing in. "DNA testing is now becoming quite common and blood samples can be taken from one or both of the adult birds to establish the chick's true parentage."

Illegal poisoning is another problem, which can harm dogs as well as intended targets such as foxes and birds of prey. If you have information which may help you can ring 0800 321 600 (illegal poisoning) or 0800 555 111 (other wildlife crimes).

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