Badgers and their setts are protected under The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and, as a consequence, it's an offence to kill, injure or take a badger, or to damage or interfere with a sett. Badgers have been persecuted by man for centuries, despite being harmless and secretive animals. They are persecuted in so may ways from illegal badger baiting and digging to snaring, gassing, poisoning, shooting and lamping. Their setts are often illegally destroyed by unlicensed development and farming activities.

The general public are urged to act as the eyes and ears for the police and other enforcement agencies when it comes to reporting a wildlife crime, or information gained regarding badger baiting activities. If you're out in an area known for its badger setts and you should witness a group of men carrying spades, usually accompanied by small terrier type dogs, immediately contact either:- the police on 101, the RSPCA on 0300-1234-999 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

However, if you witness men digging at a badger sett, DO NOT approach, ring 999 immediately. Most people carry mobile phones with them these days, USE THEM, by photographing any activity you may have witnessed, or the registration numbers of any cars parked nearby, these are usually four-wheel drive type vehicles.

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