Police launch urgent investigation after four badger crimes by "same group" in Yorkshire

The Wildlife & Rural Crime Unit reported that there have been four badger related crimes committed in Kippax since the first of May.

Badgers and their burrows are guarded under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, in England and Wales.

According to the RSPCA, this means you cannot “wilfully kill, injure or take a badger”, “cruelly ill-treat a badger”, “Dig for a badger” or “recklessly damage a badger sett, or obstruct access to it”.

Comments on the police’s Facebook post called the perpetrators “psychopaths” and “lowlifes”, with one person even questioning whether they can “call them humans”.

Others asked West Yorkshire Police what they are planning to do to stop the crime being committed again.

One comment reads: “[There is] very little chance a member of the public will be walking around the area at night to be able to report it.”

Locals are calling for more police presence at night to try and catch the antagonists in the act.

This comes after a badger’s den was dug up and set on fire in Kippax last month.

The suspects similarly remain unknown.

Police have asked anyone with information to call 101 or the crime stoppers number: 0800 555 111.

The crime numbers are: 13210240348, 13210251865, 13210259806, 13210261064.