Has anyone else seen this article and is it true?

I've just seen this in the Independent - is the RSPB or anyone else aware of the funding for this section of the police potentially being withdrawn?  Here's a link to the article:

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/wildlife-crime-unit-faces-extinction-over-funding-crisis-8437875.html?google_editors_picks=true

Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.