Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the National Police Chief's Council report entitled Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025-2028, what offences are classified under bat crime.

Under the NPCC Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025–2028, bat crime includes:

Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

• Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection.
• Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by bats.

Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

• Deliberately capture, injure, or kill a bat.
• Deliberately disturb a bat.
• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat (bats do not have to be in occupation at the time).
• Possess or control a bat.
• Transport a bat.
• Sell or exchange a bat.

Offer for sale or exchange any bat, alive or dead, or any part of a bat.