Does WCA 1981 s.19 let me search a suspect's vehicle?

s.19 lets a constable stop and search a person reasonably suspected of a WCA 1981 offence and search anything the person is using or has with them, seizing evidence found — but it contains no express power to search a vehicle as such. Searching premises needs a warrant, granted by a Justice of the Peace under s.19(3).

Can I arrest someone under the Deer Act 1991 or the Hunting Act 2004?

No — neither Act gives a bespoke power of arrest. The Deer Act 1991's original arrest sub-power was removed by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, and the Hunting Act 2004's arrest provision (s.7) was repealed in 2006. Arrest, where the necessity criteria are met, is via the general power in PACE 1984 s.24.

Wildlife & Rural Crime

The wildlife and rural crime offences, the search and seizure powers under each Act, the hare-coursing regime introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, partnership contacts, and scene evidence preservation — an officer quick-reference.

Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).

Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026 · Next review due: 26 February 2027

Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial

What legislation and powers apply to wildlife and rural crime, and how does hare coursing enforcement work?

Wildlife crime is governed by a patchwork of specific Acts: the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (wild birds, their nests and eggs, and listed species — s.1, Schedule 1, s.19 search/seizure powers), the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (s.1 killing/injuring/taking, s.3 interfering with a sett, s.11 search/seizure powers), the Hunting Act 2004 (s.1 hunting a wild mammal with a dog, subject to the Schedule 1 exemptions, unlimited fine, no arrest power), the Deer Act 1991 (s.12 search, seizure and entry onto land, expressly covering vehicles — arrest, where available, is under PACE 1984 s.24, not the Deer Act itself), the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 (s.1 cruelty), and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (s.33 fly-tipping, primarily enforced by the Environment Agency or local authority).

Hare coursing is enforced under the offences at PCSC 2022 ss.63-64 (plus the older Night Poaching Act 1828 s.1 and Game Act 1831 s.30 offences, penalties raised to up to 51 weeks by PCSC 2022 s.62), the Poaching Prevention Act 1862 s.2 stop/search/detain power, and the vehicle- and dog-disruption powers introduced by PCSC 2022: vehicle forfeiture under the Game Laws (Amendment) Act 1960 s.4A (as amended by PCSC 2022 s.62(9)), and dog recovery, disqualification and seizure orders under PCSC 2022 ss.65-67. All of these hare-coursing powers commenced on 1 August 2022.

All operational references

A reference to the main wildlife crime types, the principal wildlife and rural crime legislation, rural crime beyond wildlife offences (agricultural theft, fuel theft, fly-tipping), the search and seizure powers under each Act, partnership contacts, evidence preservation, and the hare-coursing regime introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force's wildlife crime policy, the College of Policing APP on Wildlife Crime, and consult your force Wildlife Crime Officer.

Wildlife Crime Types — Overview

Wildlife crime encompasses a wide range of offences against wild animals, birds, and habitats protected under statute. These offences range from small-scale poaching to organised criminal networks involved in badger baiting and raptor persecution.

Poaching — hare coursing

Hare coursing involves dogs (typically greyhound or lurcher types) chasing hares across agricultural land without the landowner's consent. It is frequently organised, involves significant illegal gambling, and the participants often travel in convoys of vehicles. A national priority wildlife crime.

Poaching — deer

Deer poaching is the taking of deer without the landowner's permission or outside lawful seasons. Common methods include lamping (night shooting with high-powered rifles and spotlights), snaring, and lurcher dogs. Deer carcasses have significant financial value. Often linked to organised criminal networks.

Badger baiting / persecution

Badger baiting involves digging out badger setts and setting dogs against the badger. Badger persecution also includes snaring, shooting, and poisoning. This is a serious organised crime, involving illegal gambling and often the same networks as hare coursing. Badgers are a protected species under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

Raptor persecution

Birds of prey (raptors) — including hen harriers, peregrine falcons, red kites, and golden eagles — are persecuted primarily by poisoning, trapping, shooting, and nest destruction. Often associated with driven grouse moor management. A national wildlife crime priority; prosecutions are complex and evidence-intensive.

Egg collecting

The collection of wild bird eggs is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Collectors may travel long distances to take rare species' eggs. Searches of properties of known collectors may reveal large historical collections — all of which constitute evidence.

Bat disturbance / fish poaching

Bats and their roosts are fully protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Any intentional disturbance of bats is an offence. Fish poaching (taking fish without consent from private fisheries or from designated waters) ranges from small-scale to large-scale organised gangs using electrofishing equipment.

Key Legislation — Wildlife & Countryside Crime Powers

Officers must know the principal Acts and the powers they provide.

Legislation	Key Provisions
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA), s.1 / Sch.1 / s.19	The principal wildlife protection statute. s.1 protects all wild birds, their nests and eggs. Schedule 1 lists species protected by special penalties — disturbing a bird, nest or dependent young at or near a Schedule 1 nest is the s.1(5) offence. s.19 gives constables search and seizure powers (see Powers, below).
Protection of Badgers Act 1992, s.1 / s.3 / s.11	s.1 makes it an offence to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger, or cruelly ill-treat one. s.3 makes it an offence to interfere with a badger sett. In England and Wales these offences carry up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. s.11 gives constables search and seizure powers.
Hunting Act 2004, s.1 / Sch.1	Prohibits hunting a wild mammal with a dog in England and Wales unless the hunting falls within a Schedule 1 exemption (e.g. flushing to a gun, research and observation). Applies to hare coursing, fox hunting with a pack, and deer hunting with hounds. The offence carries an unlimited fine (Level 5 became unlimited from 12 March 2015). There is no power of arrest under the Act — s.7 (arrest) was repealed in 2006; arrest, where available, is via the general power in PACE 1984 s.24.
Deer Act 1991, s.12	Controls the taking and killing of deer — prohibiting taking or killing deer at night, during close seasons, or by prohibited methods. s.12 lets a constable search a suspect and any vehicle, and enter land other than a dwelling-house, to seize deer or other evidence. The Act's original arrest sub-power was removed by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005; arrest, where available, is under PACE 1984 s.24, not the Deer Act itself.
Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, s.1	Prohibits mutilating, kicking, beating, impaling, stabbing, burning, crushing, drowning, dragging or asphyxiating any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering.
Environmental Protection Act 1990, s.33	Makes unauthorised deposit of controlled waste ('fly-tipping') an offence. Primary enforcement is the Environment Agency or the local authority, not the police, though officers may encounter it on rural patrol and can assist with evidence.

Two further protections are relevant for context but are not cited to a specific section here: bats and their roosts are fully protected, and any intentional disturbance is an offence, under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017; and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Part III increased penalties for some WCA 1981 offences and added provisions relating to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Rural Crime — Agricultural Theft, Fuel Theft & Fly-Tipping

Rural crime extends well beyond wildlife offences to significant financial crimes targeting farms and rural businesses.

Agricultural machinery and equipment theft

Quad bikes, ATVs, and all-terrain vehicles are among the most commonly stolen items from farms. GPS guidance systems for tractors (worth £5,000–£30,000) are frequently targeted. Catalytic converters from agricultural machinery, tractor GPS antennae, and tool caches from outbuildings are also common. Marking systems (UV, SmartWater, DataDot) can assist recovery and prosecution.

Livestock theft

Theft of sheep, cattle, and pigs represents significant financial loss to farmers. Livestock is difficult to trace once mixed with legitimate animals. Officers should consider CCTV at loading points, ANPR on rural routes, and liaison with local livestock markets.

Fuel theft

Red diesel and white diesel are stolen from farm tanks, plant machinery, and construction sites. Often involves organised gangs with tanker vehicles. Powers under the fuel laundering legislation and HMRC referral are relevant for commercial-scale fuel crime.

Fly-tipping

Illegal dumping of waste on land (fly-tipping) is an offence under s.33 Environmental Protection Act 1990. Fly-tipping on agricultural land can cause significant financial and environmental harm. Evidence gathering (vehicle registration marks, CCTV, forensic examination of waste) is key. Primary enforcement is the Environment Agency / local authority, but police have relevant arrest powers.

Heritage crime

Night hawking (illegal metal detecting on protected archaeological sites), theft of lead from churches, and theft of architectural features from listed buildings are rural heritage crimes. English Heritage and Historic England have specialist advice. Officers should document and preserve the scene.

Powers — Search, Seizure & Stop & Search

Officers have specific search and seizure powers under wildlife legislation, in addition to general PACE powers. Knowing which power to use — and recording it properly — is essential.

WCA 1981, s.19

A constable who reasonably suspects a person of committing a WCA 1981 offence may stop and search that person, and search anything the person is using or has with them, seizing anything found that is evidence of an offence. Unlike the Badgers, Deer, and Poaching Prevention Act powers below, s.19 contains no express power to search a vehicle as such. Searching premises needs a warrant — a Justice of the Peace may grant one to enter and search premises under s.19(3).

Poaching Prevention Act 1862

Allows a constable to stop, search, and detain any person found in a highway or public place who is reasonably suspected of coming from land where they unlawfully took or destroyed game, and to stop and search any cart or other conveyance the person is using. Game, guns or parts of guns, nets, and other engines used for taking game may be seized. Relevant to hare coursing (lurchers, lamps, cages found in vehicles) — dog seizure itself is a separate power (see Hare Coursing, below).

Deer Act 1991, s.12

Where a constable reasonably suspects a person has committed an offence under the Act, s.12 lets them search that person and any vehicle, and enter land other than a dwelling-house to do so; deer or other evidence may be seized. The Act's own arrest sub-power was removed in 2005 — arrest, where available, is under the general power in PACE 1984 s.24, not the Deer Act.

Protection of Badgers Act 1992, s.11

A constable may, without a warrant, stop and search any person reasonably suspected of committing an offence under the Act, and any vehicle they have with them, and seize badgers, any live or dead wild creature, or any other article reasonably suspected to be evidence.

Vehicle seizure (hare coursing)

Vehicles used in connection with hare coursing can be forfeited under s.4A of the Game Laws (Amendment) Act 1960, as amended by s.62(9) of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (in force from 1 August 2022) — a significant disruption tool against organised coursing gangs. See Hare Coursing, below, for the full 2022 regime.

Partnership Working — RSPB, NWCU & Rural Crime Teams

Effective wildlife and rural crime policing depends heavily on partnership working with specialist organisations, conservation bodies, and landowner groups.

RSPB Investigations Team

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has a specialist investigations team that supports police in raptor persecution cases. They can provide scene attendance, evidence analysis, CCTV and intelligence, expert witness testimony, and case-building support. Contact early in raptor persecution investigations.

National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)

NWCU is a dedicated unit providing intelligence, operational support, and coordination for serious and organised wildlife crime. They maintain databases on known offenders, analyse intelligence from across forces, and liaise with international agencies on CITES-related wildlife trafficking.

Rural crime teams

Many forces have dedicated rural crime teams or wildlife crime officers (WCOs). These specialists have detailed knowledge of legislation, local intelligence on offenders, and established relationships with landowners and conservation organisations. They should be notified of any wildlife crime incidents.

Countryside Alliance / NFU

The National Farmers Union and Countryside Alliance can provide intelligence on local issues, landowner concerns, and emerging crime trends. They have good relationships with rural communities that may be reluctant to engage directly with police.

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

Provides expert advice on game bird ecology, raptor ecology, and habitat management. Useful for providing context in complex raptor persecution cases where understanding of land management practice is needed.

Evidence Preservation — Scene, Animal Remains & Photographs

Errors in early evidence handling can fatally undermine prosecutions, particularly in cases involving animal remains, poisons, or raptor persecution.

Scene photography

Photograph the scene extensively before anything is disturbed. Wide shots establishing the scene, mid-range shots showing the context of the find, and close-up shots of the animal remains, any equipment, footprints, or vehicle tracks. Include a scale marker in close-up photographs.

Animal remains

Do not handle a bird or animal carcass with bare hands — toxicology may be needed and contamination could compromise results. Use gloves. Bag individually in clean paper (not plastic — moisture causes decomposition). Label with the collection point. Report to the force Wildlife Crime Officer for specialist advice on submission to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS).

GPS coordinates

Record the precise GPS coordinates of where evidence is found. This is critical for mapping patterns across multiple incidents and for establishing jurisdiction. Use what3words or OS grid references in addition to nearest address.

Suspect vehicle details

Registration mark, make, model, colour, and any distinctive features. Photograph from multiple angles. Note the direction of travel. Gather any dashcam or CCTV evidence from nearby cameras. ANPR data from the day of the incident may be available.

Poison incidents

Poisoning of raptors and other wildlife is a serious offence requiring specialist handling. Officers must not touch any potential poison baits or carcasses — the poison may be absorbed through the skin. Specialist equipment (gloves, face mask) may be needed. Contact the force Wildlife Crime Officer and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately.

Hare Coursing — Specific Indicators

Convoys of vehicles (typically vans and 4WDs) parked on or near agricultural land
Groups of men watching from vehicles or on foot near open fields
Greyhound, lurcher, or whippet-type dogs, possibly in vehicle crates
Binoculars, walkie-talkies, and mobile phones used for coordination
Cash in large quantities
Multiple people unknown to the local area present on farmland

Hare Coursing — Statutory Basis (in force from 1 August 2022)

Introduced or uplifted by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (PCSC 2022). This is a national priority wildlife crime, frequently linked to organised criminal networks and illegal gambling.

Power	Legislation
Offence — trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs	PCSC 2022, s.63
Offence — being equipped to search for or pursue hares with dogs	PCSC 2022, s.64
Older poaching offences (night poaching / daytime game trespass), penalties raised to up to 51 weeks	Night Poaching Act 1828, s.1 and Game Act 1831, s.30, as amended by PCSC 2022, s.62
Vehicle forfeiture	Game Laws (Amendment) Act 1960, s.4A, as amended by PCSC 2022, s.62(9)
Recovery order — recovery of kennelling costs for a seized dog	PCSC 2022, s.65
Disqualification order — bars a convicted person from owning or keeping dogs	PCSC 2022, s.66
Seizure and disposal of dogs	PCSC 2022, s.67

The Poaching Prevention Act 1862 s.2 stop/search/detain power (see Powers, above) applies directly to hare coursing: a constable may stop, search, and detain a person in a highway or public place reasonably suspected of coming from land where they unlawfully took game, and stop and search any cart or other conveyance they are using. Game, guns or gun parts, nets, and other engines found may be seized — dogs used for coursing are seized under the separate PCSC 2022 ss.65-67 regime, not the 1862 Act.

Arrest powers: none of the hare-coursing offences above carries its own bespoke power of arrest in the way that some offences do. As with the Hunting Act 2004 and Deer Act 1991 (see Key Legislation and Powers, above), arrest — where the necessity criteria are met — is via the general power in PACE 1984 s.24, and if an associated offence with a clearer arrest basis is committed (for example criminal damage, trespass with a weapon, or assault), officers can arrest for that offence. Intelligence development is key to identifying more serious linked offences.

Intelligence strategy: document all encounters with known or suspected coursing groups meticulously. Record vehicle registrations, descriptions, associates, locations, and dates. Submit intelligence reports immediately. Coursing networks travel across force boundaries — national intelligence sharing via the NWCU is essential to building serious and organised crime cases.

Frequently asked

What is the statutory basis for seizing a vehicle used in hare coursing?: Vehicle forfeiture for hare coursing is under s.4A of the Game Laws (Amendment) Act 1960, as amended by s.62(9) of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (in force from 1 August 2022).
Does WCA 1981 s.19 let me search a suspect's vehicle?: s.19 lets a constable stop and search a person reasonably suspected of a WCA 1981 offence and search anything the person is using or has with them, seizing evidence found — but it contains no express power to search a vehicle as such. Searching premises needs a warrant, granted by a Justice of the Peace under s.19(3).
Can I arrest someone under the Deer Act 1991 or the Hunting Act 2004?: No — neither Act gives a bespoke power of arrest. The Deer Act 1991's original arrest sub-power was removed by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, and the Hunting Act 2004's arrest provision (s.7) was repealed in 2006. Arrest, where the necessity criteria are met, is via the general power in PACE 1984 s.24.