Wildlife Offences
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This CPS prosecution guidance provides comprehensive legal standards and prosecution strategies for crimes related to wildlife. It outlines various wildlife crime priorities and the legislative framework governing offences involving wild animals, plants, and related environmental concerns. The document details important public interest considerations, potential mitigating and aggravating factors, and the roles of different stakeholders involved in wildlife crime prosecutions.
Key points
- Wildlife crime includes actions against legislation protecting wild animals and plants.
- Prosecutors should assess wildlife crime priorities established by the UKTCG.
- Expert evidence is critical in wildlife-related prosecutions.
- CPS works with police and wildlife units to tackle wildlife crime effectively.
- Public interest factors are vital when considering legal action in wildlife cases.
- Legal guidance is provided on specific offences outlined in wildlife legislation.
Public-interest factors
- Extent of suffering caused to wildlife.
- Potential danger to public or livestock.
- Importance of biodiversity and conservation status of species involved.
- Community impact considerations from wildlife crime.
- Presence of organised crime in wildlife offences.
- Potential for significant environmental harm.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.