BADGER groups in the North East are backing a campaign which will be launched today to combat persecution of the animals.

Operation Meles is an intelligence-led UK-wide police operation gathering evidence of badger persecution and targeting offenders.

The chairman of the Northumberland Badger Group, Mervyn Anthony, is playing a key role in the campaign.

For the first time national statistics for badgers are available through the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), and statistics on reported badger incidents are now being compiled separately.

According to the crime report to be unveiled at today’s meetings, a total of 68 wildlife incidents involving badgers were reported from the Northumbria, Durham and Cumbria police areas in 2009-10.

Operation Meles is the start of a structured system of assessing the scale of badger crime, as well as wildlife crime in general. It will support the case for incidents to be formally recorded rather than simply reported.

A co-ordinated series of public meetings today in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will not only expose the cruelty badgers suffer, but also the need for the proper recording of wildlife crime.

A particular concern is badger persecution where many of the perpetrators travelling long distances in gangs to commit offences. The dogs used in baiting are bred for the task and often suffer horrific injuries themselves.

Association of Chief Police Officers lead on wildlife crime, Lincolnshire Chief Constable Richard Crompton, will chair the keynote meeting in Sheffield.

“Badgers are not only cruelly baited but also sealed in setts and buried alive, snared, shot, poisoned and tortured, but most of these crimes go unreported,” said Mr Anthony, who is also the director of the Badger Trust who leads on persecution in England.

“This is a significant and persistent problem in the North of England. It is fairly well organised and criminals get involved as their way of relaxing.”