Police rebut BirdLife allegations

The police this year found 81 people breaching hunting and trapping regulations and another nine breaching the Arms Ordinance.

They would all be arraigned, the police said.

Referring to comments by BirdLife, which said that the police were ill -equipped and unable to control illegalities, the police said they also seized 33 protected species and 295 rounds of ammunition, several bird callers and nets.

“Contrary to the allegations made by BirdLife Malta, all police officers are committed to enforcing and upholding the law.

“Such a commitment is not only focused on illegal hunting or illegal trapping but is also addressed to all kind of criminality.”

The police said it was erroneous to conclude that only officers from the Administrative Law Enforcement Section were responsible for enforcing hunting and trapping regulations.

District officers were also regularly scouring the countryside together to curb possible abuse.

“BirdLife Malta would surely appreciate that they are not the sole source of information to the police,” the police said.

“Irrespective who the sources are, police officers have to assess and evaluate all the information received and act upon it.

“It would be presumptuous to expect police resources to be everywhere at the same time.”

The police said it was thanks to the cooperation of the public that during March and April, 11 individuals were apprehended breaching hunting regulations.

Another 57 others were brought to book for breaching trapping regulations and seven for breaching the Arms Ordinance. Moreover, 15 firearms, including four that were unregistered, were seized.