BASC funds national police training to combat poaching

So as a BASC member, what do we get for £40,000, will an itemised bill be published in the annual accounts, i for one would like to see it.
Do we have a say on how it’s used and what happens when it’s gone?
 
However, three years later, in 2018, the Western Morning News reported how there were plans to again raise the fee for gun owners. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) criticised the move, noting noting that the eCommerce system had still yet to be introduced and that an HMIC inspection of firearms licensing in 2015 branded the licensing system as ‘inconsistent and inadequate’.

"For many people who have these guns, they will spend a very large sum of money on the gun itself, the ammunition, the shooting days, even a trained gun dog, the subscription fees for their gun club."
A clay pigeon shoot - with just 30 clays - at a Liskeard venue is currently being advertised at around £65 per person, but the price goes up to £82 for 50 clays. Meanwhile a quick search online reveals a number of game shoots across Devon with prices charging between £160 to £1,000 per gun for the day, often including "full hospitality at elevenses and a meal included". Other companies offer the full experience with a stay in a luxury lodge on a country estate, which can include a heated indoor pool and sauna for "partners who prefer to avoid a full day in the field".


The police source said: "When you consider how much people are willing to pay for the kit and the shooting experience, you wonder why there's such reluctance to pay the full shotgun and firearm licence fee. Why should the police - or rather the local council taxpayer - have to supplement their sport? It's not as if the police are expected help pay the cost of anyone else's sporting activities."

Why not actually spend some money on the above problems?
 
 
You can train all you want but the trainees have to be willing to put the training into practice, the management also have to want to follow the training the staff have been given.
Are BASC funding the police in training to uphold the existing law, which the courts then give out **** poor sentences and the circle continues?
 
Are BASC funding the police in training to uphold the existing law, which the courts then give out **** poor sentences and the circle continues?

Re the courts. Unfortunately there is much misunderstanding and misconception around sentencing. There is a set of national sentencing guidelines, freely available on the internet, which the courts, in general, must follow. It is the grubberment who make the laws and policies which drive sentencing.
Contrary to belief the courts do not randomly sentence, though I appreciate that when we see some sentencing outcomes it does appears somewhat random and inconsistent.
Also remember that in hearing every case the courts are privy to considerably more information and evidence than the public access on social media.

Re the circle continuing, now enter a very deep debate about punishment and rehabilitation. If interested research the Norwegian model.
 
What I think is really needed in the UK is rural agency equivalent US Fish, Game and Forestry, or German Forst which has an overall remit for for rural areas including:

Environmental matters - pollution of watercourse etc
Wildlife and fish monitoring and management - it takes a local, regional and national view based on good data etc. and in sets overall quotas etc and licences for both introduction and removal.
Firearms and hunter licensing
Rural crime including, wildlife, agricultural and land access.
Sorting out disputes between different land users.
Processing land management grants and ensuring compliance and moneys well spent.

The agency should work very much at a local level and the local rangers should know all the landowners, farmers, hunters etc in their patch along with veterinary, agricultural, but also at regional level.

They rangers should have powers of arrest and prosecution as required with appropriate resources available, but closely with police as and when appropriate.
 
The National Wildlife Crime Unit’s digital training academy marks a significant step forward in equipping UK police forces with the tools and knowledge needed to tackle poaching. The development of this cutting-edge initiative is set to be boosted by a £40,000 cash injection from BASC. For more information click the link below.

Surely rural crime and wildlife crime are taught in Police basic training and if not then there is a case of incompetence in the higher ranks. I bet when a Police Officer finishes basic training they know LGBT law back to front. It’s all about what looks popular with the public. BASC could spend their money better by suing Police Forces who don’t enforce wildlife and rural crime laws.
 
What I think is really needed in the UK is rural agency equivalent US Fish, Game and Forestry, or German Forst which has an overall remit for for rural areas including:

Environmental matters - pollution of watercourse etc
Wildlife and fish monitoring and management - it takes a local, regional and national view based on good data etc. and in sets overall quotas etc and licences for both introduction and removal.
Firearms and hunter licensing
Rural crime including, wildlife, agricultural and land access.
Sorting out disputes between different land users.
Processing land management grants and ensuring compliance and moneys well spent.

The agency should work very much at a local level and the local rangers should know all the landowners, farmers, hunters etc in their patch along with veterinary, agricultural, but also at regional level.

They rangers should have powers of arrest and prosecution as required with appropriate resources available, but closely with police as and when appropriate.
That kind of makes sense. They might even introduce an annual Licencing system for deer control with a bounty per beast paid until fallow numbers are back in check.

We may dream!

K
 
Right now. Any funds should be spent dealing with the lead ban which is going to affect everyone who is shooting. Basc( and other shooting organisations) funds should not be spent training police at this time when our sport is facing destruction. Money wasted afraid.
 
Right now. Any funds should be spent dealing with the lead ban which is going to affect everyone who is shooting. Basc( and other shooting organisations) funds should not be spent training police at this time when our sport is facing destruction. Money wasted afraid.

The problem that is looming on the horizon is so many of these charities are now banding together to oppose - lead / hunting / shooting
Look at RSPB / Wildlife Trusts / WWT
We really need to start pushing back hard highlighting the good we do and exposing the hypocrisy of some of them
 
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