POLICE have revealed the scale of wildlife crime in Cumbria, with badger baiting and the destruction of red squirrel habitats under investigation.

Deer poaching and the targeting of birds of prey are also the subject of inquiries, with every county neighbourhood squad having their own environmental experts.

Figures from Cumbria police reveal there were 28 reports of suspicious activity near badger setts in the 12 months up to April.

This is a particular problem in west Cumbria, to the extent where officers are putting together plans to patrol and gather information on suspects.

There were also 54 complaints of deer poaching, with this causing the most concern in the south of the county.

PC Robin Gorse, the force’s wildlife and environmental crime co-ordinator, revealed the problems in a report to be studied by senior crimefighting figures this week.

The officer said police tackle the persecution of protected species “to prevent our rare and endangered wildlife from being destroyed”.

PC Gorse said: “Badger persecution continues to be an issue in Cumbria.

“Between September 2014 and March 2015 there were 28 reports of suspicious activity around badger setts. It has been identified as a particular issue in Copeland.

“Officers from Copeland are putting together a patrol strategy to raise awareness of this issue within the constabulary.

“Deer poaching continues to be a significant issue across Cumbria and particularly in the south of the county.”

The report states police are working with the RSPB on a number of investigations focusing on crimes involving birds of prey.

The report was to be discussed today at a meeting of the executive board of Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes.