{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Wildlife%3A+Crime", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Wildlife%3A+Crime", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Wildlife%3A+Crime", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&hansardHeading=Wildlife%3A+Crime", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Wildlife%3A+Crime", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Wildlife%3A+Crime", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1726256", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1726256/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>This Government recognises the importance of tackling wildlife crime, which is why, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office directly funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit to help tackle these crimes.<\/p><p>The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) provides intelligence, analysis and investigative assistance to the police and other law enforcement agenciesacross the UK to support them in investigating wildlife crime. This includes supporting cases referred by Border Force to the National Crime Agency or to individual forces. The NWCU is also the UK policing focal point for EUROPOL and INTERPOL wildlife crime activity. The NWCU uses this information to produce strategic and tactical assessments of wildlife crime across the UK.<\/p><p>Any non-notifiable wildlife crime reported to police can still be investigated where appropriate, as Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson"}
        }
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dame Diana Johnson"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-11T14:59:12.367Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of making crimes against wildlife notifiable offences.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5339", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Uxbridge and South Ruislip"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Danny Beales"}
      ], "uin" : "3639"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1726309", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1726309/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>There are no plans currently to make all wildlife crimes notifiable and consequentially to include in the national crime statistics. Any non-notifiable wildlife crime reported to police can still be investigated where appropriate, as Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.<\/p><p>This Government recognises the importance of tackling wildlife crime, which is why, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office directly funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit to help tackle these crimes.<\/p><p>The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) provides intelligence, analysis and investigative assistance to the police and other law enforcement agencies across the UK to support them in investigating wildlife crime. This includes supporting cases referred by Border Force to the National Crime Agency or to individual forces. The NWCU is also the UK policing focal point for EUROPOL and INTERPOL wildlife crime activity. The NWCU uses this information to produce strategic and tactical assessments of wildlife crime across the UK.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson"}
        }
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dame Diana Johnson"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-06T15:44:03.667Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) making wildlife crimes notifiable and (b) including them in national crime statistics.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5327", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Dorset and North Poole"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vikki Slade"}
      ], "uin" : "3633"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723763", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723763/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>This Government recognises the importance of tackling wildlife crime, which is why, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office directly funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit to help tackle these crimes.<\/p><p>There are no plans currently to make all wildlife crimes notifiable. Any non-notifiable wildlife crime reported to police can be investigated as Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dame Diana Johnson"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-02T09:55:36.037Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to make wildlife crimes notifiable; and whether she plans to include those crimes in national statistics.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4267", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Champion"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rotherham"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sarah Champion"}
      ], "uin" : "1917"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723529", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723529/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>This Government recognises the importance of tackling wildlife crime, which is why, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office directly funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit to help tackle these crimes.<\/p><p>There are no plans currently to make all wildlife crimes notifiable. Any non-notifiable wildlife crime reported to police can be investigated as Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dame Diana Johnson"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-01T14:57:38.26Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to make all wildlife crimes notifiable.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/221", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dan Norris"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Somerset and Hanham"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dan Norris"}
      ], "uin" : "1631"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1716405", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1716405/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>This Government recognises the importance of tackling wildlife crime, which is why, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office\u202fdirectly funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) to help tackle these crimes.<\/p><p>The\u202fNWCU\u202fprovides intelligence, analysis and investigative assistance to the police and other law enforcement agencies across the UK\u202fto support them in investigating wildlife crime. This includes supporting cases referred by Border Force to the National Crime Agency or to individual forces. The NWCU is also the UK policing focal point for EUROPOL and INTERPOL wildlife crime activity.<\/p><p>The NWCU uses this information to produce strategic and tactical assessments of wildlife crime across the UK. These assessments also take into consideration the views of the Wildlife Crime Conservation Advisory Group, which highlight priorities based on the conservation status of specific\u202fspecies and\u202freview all other non-priority intelligence to identify any emerging threats. It is these assessments which ultimately drive the operational response to tackling wildlife crime in the UK.<\/p><p>We will keep under review any legislative proposals to increase the range of wildlife crimes that have notifiable status. If a non-notifiable wildlife crime is reported to police it can still be investigated. Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-17T13:59:35.37Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to increase the range of wildlife crimes which have notifiable status.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4436", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Cat Smith"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lancaster and Fleetwood"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Cat Smith"}
      ], "uin" : "25256"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715370", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715370/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously, including those involving the use of catapults. There is already sufficient legislation in place which protects wildlife against the use of catapults.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and some wild animals in England and Wales. While the Act does not specifically include catapults in the list of weapons that a person must not use to kill an animal, it is still illegal under this Act to deliberately attempt to kill, injure, or harm protected species. There are a range of offences around deliberate attempts to kill, injure or inflict harm on wildlife under provisions not just in this Act, but also in the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of crimes against wildlife under these Acts.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-07T13:58:51.857Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making the use of catapults to harm wildlife illegal.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4716", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth Jones"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth Jones"}
      ], "uin" : "24563"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1712688", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1712688/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>This Government recognises the importance of tackling wildlife crime, which is why, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office directly funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) to help tackle these crimes.<\/p><p>The NWCU provides intelligence, analysis and investigative assistance to the police and other law enforcement agencies across the UK to support them in investigating wildlife crime. This includes supporting cases referred by Border Force to the National Crime Agency or to individual forces.<\/p><p>The NWCU is also the UK policing focal point for EUROPOL and INTERPOL wildlife crime activity. In addition, the National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council Wildlife and Rural Crime Strategy 2022-2025 provides a framework through which policing, and its partners, can work together to tackle the most prevalent threats and emerging issues which predominantly affect rural communities.<\/p><p>Training standards and the national policing curriculum (covering initial training for all officers) are set by the College of Policing to ensure all officers benefit from the same high standard of initial training, regardless of which force they join. Officers undertake further training and development during their career, which may be tailored to their specific role.<\/p><p>We have not recently held discussions with policing on the potential merit to incorporate wildlife crime into the Policing Education Qualification Framework and there are currently no plans to undertake an assessment of the impact of crime on the economy in rural areas.<\/p><p />"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "22843"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-30T16:05:25.283Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has had recent discussions with the police on the potential merits of incorporating wildlife crime into the Policing Education Qualification Framework.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
      ], "uin" : "22841"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700058", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700058/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>This Government recognises the importance of tackling wildlife crime, which is why, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office\u202fdirectly funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) to help tackle these crimes.<\/p><p>The\u202fNWCU\u202fprovides intelligence, analysis and investigative assistance to the police and other law enforcement agencies across the UK\u202fto support them in investigating wildlife crime. This includes supporting cases referred by Border Force to the National Crime Agency or to individual forces. The NWCU is also the UK policing focal point for EUROPOL and INTERPOL wildlife crime activity.<\/p><p>In addition, the National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council Wildlife and Rural Crime Strategy 2022-2025 provides a framework through which policing, and its partners, can work together to tackle the most prevalent threats and emerging issues which predominantly affect rural communities.<\/p><p>Training standards and the national policing curriculum (covering initial training for all officers) are set by the College of Policing to ensure all officers benefit from the same high standard of initial training, regardless of which force they join. Officers undertake further training and development in the course of their career, which may be tailored to their specific role.<\/p><p>We do not currently have plans to incorporate wildlife crime into the Policing Education Qualification Framework.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-22T14:35:59.013Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department plans to incorporate wildlife crime into the Policing Education Qualification Framework.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"}
      ], "uin" : "20922"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700287", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700287/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously. In 2022 Defra more than doubled its funding of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) from a total of £495,000 over the three previous years to £1.2 million for the three-year period of 2022-25.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Significant sanctions are already available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes - up to an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence. Furthermore, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 realises the Government\u2019s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty \u2013 including acts against wildlife - by increasing the maximum penalty for this offence to five years\u2019 imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Sentencing those convicted of wildlife crimes is, however, a matter for judges; these decisions are rightly taken independently of Government.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Defra has actively supported stakeholders in making representations to the Home Office regarding the issue of making wildlife crimes notifiable. However, regardless of notifiable status, when it comes to responding to the most prevalent wildlife crimes, Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Wildlife crime is not mandated as authorised professional practice and therefore is not a training requirement via the College of Policing. However, the NWCU (funded to a large degree by Defra) currently provides training to police officers across the UK. This training reflects the National Police Chiefs' Council wildlife crime strategy and provides comprehensive training in UK wildlife crime priorities and emerging trends. Since November 2022 the NWCU has trained 890 officers and is in the process of building a comprehensive digital training platform for wildlife crime which police officers and police staff will be able to access nationwide. Additionally, the NWCU provides a digital information hub for almost 1000 police staff, with up-to-date guidance on investigating wildlife crime.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "21248"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-24T14:49:39.097Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
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      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) classifying wildlife crimes as either-way offences with a maximum sentence of up to five years imprisonment, (b) giving wildlife crime notifiable status and (c) incorporating wildlife crime into the Policing Education Qualification Framework.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4139", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Lavery"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wansbeck"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Lavery"}
      ], "uin" : "21038"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700361", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1700361/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously. In 2022 Defra more than doubled its funding of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) from a total of £495,000 over the three previous years to £1.2 million for the three-year period of 2022-25.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Significant sanctions are already available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes - up to an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence. Furthermore, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 realises the Government\u2019s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty \u2013 including acts against wildlife - by increasing the maximum penalty for this offence to five years\u2019 imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Sentencing those convicted of wildlife crimes is, however, a matter for judges; these decisions are rightly taken independently of Government.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Defra has actively supported stakeholders in making representations to the Home Office regarding the issue of making wildlife crimes notifiable. However, regardless of notifiable status, when it comes to responding to the most prevalent wildlife crimes, Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Wildlife crime is not mandated as authorised professional practice and therefore is not a training requirement via the College of Policing. However, the NWCU (funded to a large degree by Defra) currently provides training to police officers across the UK. This training reflects the National Police Chiefs' Council wildlife crime strategy and provides comprehensive training in UK wildlife crime priorities and emerging trends. Since November 2022 the NWCU has trained 890 officers and is in the process of building a comprehensive digital training platform for wildlife crime which police officers and police staff will be able to access nationwide. Additionally, the NWCU provides a digital information hub for almost 1000 police staff, with up-to-date guidance on investigating wildlife crime.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "21038"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-24T14:49:39.16Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Crime"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on (a) increasing penalties for wildlife crime, (b) widening the range of wildlife crimes which receive notifiable status and (c) incorporating wildlife crime into the Policing Education Qualification Framework.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4831", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Byrne"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Liverpool, West Derby"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Byrne"}
      ], "uin" : "21248"}
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