Man charged for Peak District theft of Peregrine Falcon eggs

A man has been charged with theft in connection with an incident in the spring where Peregrine Falcon eggs were allegedly stolen in the Peak District.
By Lloyd Bent
Published 17th Nov 2020, 14:05 GMT
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

John Fenton, of Bridgemont, Whaley Bridge, was charged with the offence following an investigation by the Derbyshire Rural Crime Team and work by the RSPB.

It follows an incident in the Stoney Middleton area in May earlier this year.

Crimes against birds of prey in Derbyshire surge during lockdown

A man has been charged over the theft of Peregrine Falcon eggsA man has been charged over the theft of Peregrine Falcon eggs
A man has been charged over the theft of Peregrine Falcon eggs
Most Popular
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Detective Constable Paul Flint of the Derbyshire Rural Crime Team said: “We take all reports of wildlife crime seriously and will seek to take action against offenders. This is a senseless crime and will not be tolerated. We would like to thank the RSPB for their support throughout."

The 60-year-old is due to appear before magistrates at Chesterfield Justice Centre in February next year.]

The eggs of birds of prey are often stolen with the intention of selling the animals that hatch from them.

The RSPB describe the Peak District National Park as a raptor persecution hotspot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dave Richardson, chairman of the Derbyshire Ornithological Society, said: “The people of Derbyshire are blessed with the Peak District on their doorstep, but their enjoyment is marred by the continual illegal persecution of birds of prey.

“This is wrong and especially so in a National Park, where iconic species should enjoy the greatest protection ”.

The Derbyshire Ornithological Society is calling on people to be vigilant and report any criminal activity they witness to the police on 101 or call the RSPB’s confidential hotline on 0300 999 0101.