How to report a rural, wildlife or heritage crime
At North Yorkshire Police, we understand that rural, wildlife and heritage crime can have a large impact on the local community. It's important to report any possible incidents to us as soon as possible however, it can be difficult to know what is or isn’t a rural, wildlife or heritage crime and when it’s right to involve us. We've included some information below to show the differences between rural, wildlife and heritage crime and how best to report it.
How to report a rural, wildlife or heritage crime
If a crime is happening now or if there is immediate danger, call 999 now.
If you have witnessed a rural, wildlife or heritage crime, or have knowledge of an incident that may happen soon, you can report it by clicking the rural or wildlife crime link below.
If you're not sure if it's a crime, please still use the online forms to report your concerns and we will investigate your report further if we need to.
Alternatively, you can call us on 101. If you choose to report or provide an update via 101, it is a good idea to select the ‘queue buster’ facility. You will not lose your place in the queue. Two attempts will be made to call you back, so keep your phone within reach.
Environment crime, such as illegal waste dumping and fly tipping, needs to be reported to your local council or other agencies. You can find out more about environment crime and where to report it on our environment crime advice and information page.
In North Yorkshire, our online reporting uses a national system which provides a range of forms suitable for different incidents.
Each form has a box that states, “Please tell us what has happened”. It is important that you use the templates shown below to populate that box so we have sufficient information to understand your report. If we require further understanding we may ring you for clarification - if you miss the call, remember it’s worth using ‘queue buster’ when calling 101.
Rural crime reporting templates
Please use the templates below when reporting rural and wildlife crime to us online.
Copy and paste the appropriate template into the 'Please tell us what happened' box on the online reporting form, then fill in the questions with the relevant information.
1. Form reference: HC101
2. What type of heritage incident/crime are you reporting?
3. What has happened? Include a description of any person or vehicle involved and any direction of travel of vehicle or suspects. Also, has there been any evidence left at the scene which the police might be able to use in the investigation?
4. Times and dates between.
5. Has any damage been caused or theft taken place, if yes please clarify and give estimate of value where possible. If the crime is still ongoing, please revert to 999 and give full details.
6. What 3 Words (W3W) of location where possible.
7. Do you have any CCTV dashcam or wildlife camera footage or any still images? Please state what evidence you have.
8. Your Police Service Volunteer (PSV) collar number (if applicable).
9. Provide details of the rural watch/WhatsApp group you are a member of.
10. Please send me the NYP incident number to...
1. Form reference - LW101
2. What has happened? Please give a full description of what you have witnessed/seen. Include a description of any person, dog(s) or vehicle involved and any direction of travel of vehicle or suspects. Also, has there been any evidence left at the scene which the police might be able to use in the investigation?
3. Times and dates between.
4. Is there an ongoing risk to animal health and welfare? Please give details.
5. Please state what animals have been attacked and what injuries have been caused. If any have been killed, what is their value?
6. Has a vet attended, if so please state who?
7. What 3 Words (W3W) of location where possible.
8. Do you have any CCTV dashcam or wildlife camera footage or any still images? Please state what evidence you have.
9. Your Police Service Volunteer (PSV) collar number (if applicable).
10. Provide details of the rural watch/WhatsApp group you are a member of.
11. Please send me the NYP incident number to.
This includes hare, deer and fish poaching.
1. Form reference: PC101
2. What type of poaching incident/crime are you reporting?
3. What has happened? Include a description of any person or vehicle involved and any direction of travel of vehicle or suspects. Also, has there been any evidence left at the scene which the police might be able to use in the investigation?
4. Times and dates between.
5. Has any damage been caused, if yes please clarify and give estimate of value where possible. If poaching still ongoing, please revert to 999 and give full details.
6. What 3 Words (W3W) of location where possible.
7. Do you have any CCTV dashcam or wildlife camera footage or any still images? Please state what evidence you have.
8. Your Police Service Volunteer (PSV) collar number (if applicable).
9. Provide details of the rural watch/WhatsApp group you are a member of.
10. Please send me the NYP incident number to.
Includes any vehicles, machinery, trailers and livestock theft.
1. Form reference: RA101
2. What type of incident/crime are you reporting?
3. What has happened? Include a description of any person or vehicle involved and any direction of travel.
4. Times and dates between.
5. If items stolen, please include identification e.g. registration, serial numbers, engine numbers, VIN numbers, together with any Cesar, data tag, dot peen markings etc., livestock ID, tag number, breed and any markings (without ID we cannot circulate on the national system). If tracker fitted and working please revert to 999 and give full details.
6.What3Words (W3W) of location where possible.
7. Do you have any CCTV, dashcam or wildlife camera footage or any still images? Please state what evidence you have.
8. Your Police Service Volunteer (PSV) collar number (if applicable).
9. Provide details of the rural watch/WhatsApp group you are a member of.
10.Please send me the NYP incident number to:
Use this form for reporting incidents relating to the below. (Do not copy and paste the text in italics).
- offences against badgers, birds and bats
- illegal fishing
- egg theft and collection
- collection of or trade in protected species and animal products
- not registering animals which require a licence
- taking protected plants
- use of poisons, snares or explosives to kill or injure animals
- animal cruelty
- hunting with dogs
- introducing invasive species
- killing, or capturing, damaging or destroying the habitat of any protected animal
1. Form reference - WC101
2. What type of incident/crime are you reporting?
3. What has happened? Please give a full description of what you have witnessed/seen. Include a description of any person, dog(s) or vehicle involved and any direction of travel of vehicle or suspects. Also, has there been any evidence left at the scene which the police might be able to use in the investigation?
4. Times and dates between.
5. Is there an ongoing risk to animal health and welfare? Please give details.
6. What3Words (W3W) of location where possible.
7. Do you have any CCTV dashcam or wildlife camera footage or any still images? Delete accordingly. Please state what evidence you have.
8. Your Police Service Volunteer (PSV) collar number (if applicable).
9. Provide details of the rural watch/WhatsApp group you are a member of.
10. Please send me the NYP incident number to:
Rural community WhatsApp groups
Rural Watch is a free, community-owned scheme set up to support communities in the fight against rural crime. It comprises a series of WhatsApp groups across the county which are supported by the police.
If you live or work in our rural communities, you are our eyes and ears. If you would like to put your name forward to one of these groups, please follow this link and your name will be passed on to the relevant group coordinator to consider your inclusion. In the first instance you will be sent a fuller description of the purpose of the group and the rules around its use.
To join the scheme, email us.