We had an interesting meeting of the Bedfordshire Badger Network this week. In addition to the usual badger matters, we were joined by a Police Inspector – the Wildlife Liaison Officer for Bedfordshire.
Police Wildlife Liaison Officers are responsible for all wildlife-related crime, which thankfully is rare in Bedfordshire. There has been the odd incident of illegal sett blocking or badgers being shot, but no large-scale persecution. Illegal disturbance during building and development is a far greater threat. Still, it is good to think that the watchful eye of enthusiastic amateur badger watchers is backed up by a dedicated (in both senses of the word) police officer.
As for myself, I used it as an opportunity to get my excuses in early. After all, it isn’t every day that I talk to a Police Inspector. I had a quiet word with her. “Listen”, I said, “if ever the police get reports of a suspicious character dressed in a camouflage jacket and hanging around the village after dark, it’ll probably be me. Can you put in a good word for me please?”
Well, you never know when I’ll need a friend who can vouch that “I’m badger watching” isn’t just a lame excuse…
Tales from the Wood - The Diary of a Badger Watching Man 
Love your up date – always so ınteretıng to read.
An intelligent move on your part. Mind you, it’s easier to go to the local police station and register yourself as a strange person who lurks in dark corners. I had a letter from our local police Superintendent yesterday morning, thanking me for lurking in dark corners. I disturbed thieves in the process of stealing batteries from a Orange cell phone mast. Lurking can pay!
Thanks Ruth – appreciated as always!
All the best
BWM
Hi Mike
Can you do that? Can you really register? Just imagine – ‘BWM, licensed to lurk!’
I think most of the people in the village know me by now, but it would be useful.
All the best
BWM
Yes. You can give then your phone number and they can contact you if they get complaints. If you live in a village and everyone knows how strange you are, then there probably isn’t much point, but it can save a police car turning up at your door. I had a police helicopter follow me through the marsh one dark and very cold night. When they see someone on private land in the middle of the night, it makes them nervous, and those helicopter hours are expensive.