A MAJOR new crackdown has been launched to fight back against the persecution of threatened birds of prey.

North Yorkshire has more confirmed incidents of raptor killing and attempted killing than any other county in England – and police are determined to tackle the issue..

It is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take wild birds - however birds of prey are still shot, poisoned and trapped, especially in areas where the land is managed for driven grouse shooting.

Operation Owl is a joint initiative by North Yorkshire Police, the RSPB and the RSPCA, together with both the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

Police will carry out surveillance checks on known raptor persecution hot-spots at random times to disrupt offender activity, and work with local landowners to make them aware of the legal position on raptor persecution.

National Park volunteers will be trained to spot poisoned bait and illegal traps across the parks and the police are also calling on the public to be their eyes and ears when in the countryside.

Sgt Kevin Kelly of the force's rural taskforce said: "Our wonderful countryside is host to many specially-protected birds of prey such as peregrine falcons, red kites, buzzards and owls.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that people think they can ignore the law and subject these birds to poisonings, shootings, nest destruction and the illegal use of spring traps without consequence.

"We will be doing everything in our power to catch these offenders, supported by our colleagues in the RSPB and the volunteers in the national parks.

"But the area is huge, so the more eyes and ears we have on the ground the better. That’s why we’re asking the public to help."

In particular, the public are being asked to look out for pole traps - where spring-loaded traps are placed on top of posts to capture birds of prey that land on top of them.

"The bird can struggle for many hours before the trapper returns to kill them," said Sgt Kelly.

"We want the public to help us find these traps. We’re advising that anyone who sees a pole trap should “spring” it if they can do so safely, note the location, take a photo, and call the police on 101 to report it. Our wildlife officers will take it from there.”

He added: "If everyone keeps their eyes open for illegal traps and poisoned bait, it will be a massive boost to our operation."

The RSPB have set up a confidential hotline - 0300 9990101 - for people to report raptor persecution across the entire region.