Ulverston cop comes top in wildlife crime awards (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Ulverston cop comes top in wildlife crime awards

4:18pm Saturday 6th October 2012 in News

AN ULVERSTON police officer has been rewarded for his dedication to tackling wildlife crime in South Cumbria.

Police constable John Baldwin today won the WWF-sponsored Law Enforcer of the Year award.

The honour was granted in recognition of his ten years as a wildlife law officer, which has seen him clamping down on illegal venison trade, dealing with illegal trade in exotic animals and launching ‘operation Samurai’.

Mr Baldwin said: “I am both shocked and extremely pleased to have received this prestigious award.

“I have been working here for over 23 years, investigating wildlife crime offences since 1995, and am very grateful to Cumbria Police for giving me the opportunity to be a Wildlife Crime Office.

“I could not have done any of this work without the help and dedication of my colleagues.”

WWF and the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW) presented the award at the 24th Annual UK National Wildlife Crime Conference where enforcers, statutory agencies and NGOs gathered to hear the latest views, approaches, successes and challenges of combating wildlife crime in the UK.

Senior species officer Heather Sohl said: “I am delighted John received this award today.

"The recent rise in rhino horn thefts in the UK is extremely worrying and WWF is hugely grateful to enforcement officers who dedicate so much time and energy to tackle illegal trade in this iconic species.

“John’s work, and that of the other nominees, goes to show how crucial the enforcement of wildlife law is in the UK, and we hope it will continue to be sufficiently supported by government and enforcement authorities.”