White Syke Hill near Keasden in North Yorkshire. Photo: Humphrey Bolton CC-BY-SA-2.0
Police investigating the alleged shooting of a protected bird of prey in North Yorkshire said they have interviewed a man.
Officers are appealing for information about the incident, which happened last October on moorland between the Yorkshire Dales and the Forest of Bowland.
North Yorkshire Police said a member of the public witnessed what they believed was the shooting of a male hen harrier on moorland near White Syke Hill.
The site is close to a minor road that runs between the village of Keasden and Gisburn Forest. The shooting is said to have happened on Friday 18 October 2019.
A police spokesperson said: “Officers have been conducting active enquiries and a man has been interviewed in connection with this investigation.
“North Yorkshire Police is appealing for anyone with information about this incident or who may have seen anything in the area shortly before 5.30pm to please call 101 quoting reference number 12190193431.”
Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious at the time can also pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Yorkshire Walker
05 March 2020Yet again, another beautiful bird of prey is shot in North Yorkshire on or near driven grouse moors. I wonder who could have done this?
Mike Haden
09 March 2020The incident occurred 4 months ago and now the police ask the public for information. This shows that the police don't take this crime seriously. I wonder why?
~75% of raptor persecution crimes are committed by gamekeepers.