Criminals may be targeting badgers during the breeding season, police said. Photo: BadgerHero CC-BY-SA-3.0

Police are appealing to walkers to be on the lookout for suspicious activity that might indicate crimes against badgers are being committed.

Derbyshire Constabulary made the appeal to walkers and residents in the High Peak area as part of a nationwide campaign to clampdown on offenders harming the animals.

Operation Meles is an intelligence-led operation launched in September by the Badger Trust, gathering evidence of badger persecution and targeting offenders.

Police in the Peak District said January to April is the breeding season for badgers, when pregnant female badgers, and subsequently their cubs, may be more vulnerable.

They asked outdoor enthusiasts to be on the lookout for badger digging, where a sett is dug out and then dogs are sent in to the hole to flush out any badgers. The animals are then sometimes killed or used in fights with dogs, where the group will bet money on the outcome.

Badger baiting has been illegal in Britain since 1835 and the Protection of Badgers Act was introduced in 1992 to protect further badgers and their habitats, by making it illegal to interfere with a badger sett in any way.

Police Community Support Officer Lee Baker said: “We would ask the public that if they see any groups of people with dogs acting suspiciously then don’t approach them directly but contact the police, making a note of when and where they were seen, a description of any individuals and if they had dogs or items with them.

“The details of any vehicles they may be using will also be of help to police officers.”

Derbyshire police can be contacted by calling 101. In an emergency the public should dial 999. Information can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.