I have had recent telephone calls from very upset residents of our village.
In our villages church grave yard we have a rookery, but apparently last week someone was in the church yard shooting the rooks and destroying the nests with a large pole.
I presume he was asked by the church to do this as surley he would not do it by his own valition.
I wanted to know therefore if this is illegal and also shooting in what is a place where the public go?
If it is illegal what course ok action should residents take?
I'm afraid churches continue to do this. I don't understand how congregations think it is appropriate, and I suspect many don't know what happens. It will be done under License on the grounds of 'H&S'. IMO, the best way to get it stopped is to bad press churches for doing it.
thanks for reply, I have since found on defra site rooks are protected whist building nest and nesting from April 1st. I have also spoken to the police and they say a shot gun should not be used in .a place that public have access too. also the locan press have been informed.
Regards,
Ian.
Unfortunately, the police being a large organisation often give wrong opinions. Yes, what you wrote/quoted is correct. However, what public places like churches do is close off to the public to enable a licensed person to come in.
Regarding DEFRA, I believe you are referring to General Licences rather than H&S ones?
Thanks for comments.l they did not close the grave yard off and the tree was next to the public pavement. hence residents photographed him. he has since said he was useing a crow bagger, but they dont look like a twelve bore. Yes refering to general licence enacted in parliament in 2019, the present one is Reference: WML-GL42.Date of issue: 1 January 2024.This licence is valid for 2 years from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025. and only valid if affecting livestock, livestock food, or crops. none of which are affected by this rookery.
This wouldn’t have been done using a general licence…..or if it was, (highly unlikely), it shouldn’t have been.