Statement Regarding Policing of Proposed Pilot Badger Cull

Wednesday March 27, 2013

We've had a number of questions regarding the policing of the proposed pilot badger cull, managed by Defra, in Gloucestershire and so please find below the latest information:

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Berry, Gloucestershire Constabulary: “We have been informed of Defra’s decision to issue a licence for a pilot cull of badgers to go ahead in Gloucestershire at any point from 1 June 2013.

"We understand this is a sensitive issue and wish to make it clear that we are not responsible for the cull itself. It is a Defra-managed issue under license from Natural England and it will be up to both of them to determine the timing of it.

"Policing will be neutral and independent of any cull. We will deliver our statutory responsibilities which include dealing with any incidents of crime and disorder and ensuring that anyone who wishes to protest peacefully and lawfully is able to do so.

"For operational reasons, we will not go into details of our plans but we would like people in Gloucestershire to be reassured that we will continue to deliver an effective local policing service before, during and after the proposed cull.

"At this stage, it is not possible or appropriate to put a figure on any costs of policing for the proposed cull but we have been told that any additional policing costs will be met by the Home Office.”