Two men have been fined a combined £1,600 after a Rural Task Force investigation revealed they had illegally interfered with a badger sett in Romney Marsh.
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Kent Police attended land near Brookland on Sunday, 22 January 2023, following concerns that an active badger sett had been disturbed during land clearance. The investigation found that setts had been dug out without a licence from Natural England or an ecological report, and wildlife deterrent devices had been placed facing into the holes.
Following non-custodial interviews, the two men from Romney Marsh were charged with interference with a badger sett under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. They were convicted at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court and each fined £800, with additional costs of £650, on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.
Sergeant Darren Walshaw of the Rural Task Force stated,
“The law to protect badgers is in place for a good reason and we are committed to enforcing that law to protect the species. The scene of this incident showed the impact the groundwork had on the badger sett, and it was right that these two men were held responsible for their actions.”
The Rural Task Force continues to tackle various wildlife crimes, including hare coursing, fish theft, and dog welfare concerns, in collaboration with the Environment Agency, Angling Trust, and RSPCA.
For more information on wildlife crime, click here.