Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 17 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve evidence gathering and support for Police Scotland in wildlife crime cases, in light of reports that 22% of received cases resulted in no action being taken, primarily due to insufficient evidence.
Wildlife Crime is unacceptable and the Scottish Government has taken numerous actions to tackle wildlife crime in recent years. This includes increasing the penalties for the most serious offences and increasing powers for Scottish SPCA inspectors under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Acy 2024 to search for, examine, and seize evidence of relevant offences whilst on non-domestic property when attending that property under their existing powers.
We are supporting Police Scotland by continuing to fund the full time Scottish Wildlife Crime Investigative Support Officer role within the National Wildlife Crime Unit for 2026-27. This is a crucial role that supports law enforcement investigations across Scotland. The Investigative Support Officer provides Police Officers with specialist advice and guidance as well as hands on practical support with investigations and searches.
Ultimately, prosecutorial decision-making in individual cases is a matter for the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, who are operationally independent of the Scottish Ministers.