Hen Harrier shooting enquiry to go no further
The news that no further action will be taken in the case of the killing of two Hen Harriers on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk last month has been greeted with disappointment by the RSPB. Commenting on the official statement released by the Crown Prosecution Service, the RSPB's Conservation Director, Dr Mark Avery, said: "We regard the killing of Hen Harriers as one of the most serious of wildlife crime offences. We would always hope that people killing Hen Harriers are brought to justice."
Hen Harrier (Photo: Sean Gray)
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "The bodies of the Hen Harriers have not been found and there is no forensic or ballistic evidence." CPS lawyer Andrew Baxter was quoted as saying "I am satisfied the police investigation has been thorough and there are no other areas of investigation which can be pursued."
Police had originally identified three suspects: Prince Harry, William van Cutsem and David Clarke, a gamekeeper.
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Hen Harrier (Photo: David Palmar)