FOURTEEN special constables were among the representatives from Kent Police who have been trained to deal with wildlife crime.

A police community support officer, a PC and a chief inspector also learnt about poaching, badger baiting, and other forms of animal cruelty at the Wildwood Education Centre, near Canterbury, on Sunday.

They were taught by Kent Police’s Rural and Environmental Officer, PC Andy Small, and special constabulary trainer, Patrice Good.

PC Small said: “We trained key people across the force to deal with rural, wildlife and environmental issues so people responsible for these sorts of crimes are properly punished.

“It is vital that we have specialists across the county who understand the laws and police powers that we have to hand to deal with these, sometimes unusual, crimes. A number of the special constables who attended the course are parish constables in rural areas and are very likely to be the first point of contact for people reporting wildlife crimes.”

Wildwood is a woodland discovery park, which occupies 40 acres of ancient woodland, inhabited by numerous species of animal and other wildlife and offers regular special events, talks and feeding programmes around the park, interactive sessions and education materials for schools.

Anne Riddell, head of education at Wildwood, said: “We are really pleased our Education Centre was used for this particular training course, especially as it highlights the issues around crime against wildlife.”

PC Small added: “There are plans to train more special constables and officers in wildlife issues and other specialist areas of law relating to rural areas and the environment.”