Mayfair Library Talk: A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Crime Officer

To raise awareness of , Mayfair Library is hosting a talk by Sarah Bailey who served as a Wildlife Crime Officer in the Metropolitan Police Service for 12 years. Hear about her interesting investigations and successful convictions - and learn how to report suspected wildlife crimes.

Sarah joined the Metropolitan Police Service Wildlife Crime Unit after serving as police officer for 16 years. She has a longstanding interest in wildlife and wildlife protection and began working with the Wildlife Crime Unit after seeing a poster about Operation Charm, which sought to address the illegal trade in wildlife.

Whilst working in the specialist wildlife crime arena, she investigated many offences against both native and exotic species, from harm to native wildlife to illegal trade in protected species. She worked in partnership with many other UK and international government and non-government agencies including UK Border Force, Natural England, Crown Prosecution Service, Animal & Plant Health Agency, International CITES Management Authorities, Environment Agency as well as wildlife and animal charities including EIA, Traffic, WWF, IFAW, World Animal Protection, Born Free & RSPCA to name a few.

Before her retirement, Sarah investigated numerous wildlife crimes, many of which have resulted in convictions. Her last involved the destruction of a badger sett at Wimbledon in which the defendant pleaded guilty and was fined £1,650. She has also assisted colleagues with many wildlife crime investigations. These include the destruction of a bat roost during a high-end refurbishment to an apartment where the defendant pleaded guilty and received a fine of £10,249. Also, a housing developer who was fined £600,000, after knowingly demolishing a bat roost.

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Host or Publisher City of Westminster Libraries & Archives