Budget cuts threaten wildlife crime prevention

Dear Phil,

The UK is a hub for the global illegal wildlife trade with more than 1 million items being seized by HM customs between 1996 and 2000. This is helping to push some species towards extinction.

The Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) in London plays a vital role in tracking down and prosecuting wildlife criminals. They uncover and stamp out the illegal trade in endangered species, their body parts and derivatives.

We have recently learned that Metropolitan Police budget cuts will reduce the WCU by half, severely hampering their fight against wildlife crime.

In the last 10 years they have seized over 30,000 endangered species products from London's black market, including items made from tigers, rhinos, bears, elephants, reptiles, and musk deer.

A cut in WCU funding would send out a dangerous signal that wildlife crime is a low priority for London's police force.

You can help stop this from happening

• Email the Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner now. Ask him to ensure the long term funding of the Wildlife Crime Unit.
• Fight wildlife crime by donating. The more donations we receive, the more work like this we can fund.
• Read more about the vital work of the Wildlife Crime Unit.

Environmental spotlight on local elections

Who will get your vote? Read more on how to question the environmental policies of those standing for election in your local area.

On 3 May local government elections will take place in England with around 300 County Councils and Borough Councils being elected.

Local government is one of the most overlooked, yet most important deliverers of environmental policy in England, responsible for huge numbers of public buildings, much of the transport system, open spaces, water courses and planning.

With environmental issues higher up the political agenda than ever before, there is a real opportunity to get serious environmental commitments from those who will be elected.

Thanks for your help,
WWF Campaign Team

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