Reporting Bat Crimes

What should you do if you suspect a roost is being damaged or bats are being disturbed?

Damage, destruction and obstruction of roosts are criminal offences and a police matter. So is disturbance of bats.

If you know of a location where these are happening, you should:

Contact your local police station. Explain that you think a wildlife crime is being committed, and mention 'Operation Bat'. Operation Bat is the police Standard Operating Procedure for dealing with bat-related incidents, because bats are a police wildlife crime priority. Ensure you get a reference number and then let us know about the incident by emailing investigations@bats.org.uk, or completing the incident report form below.
Contact the Bat Helpline on 0845 1300 228.

We are able to assist the police, batworkers, members of the public and professionals by giving advice and information about bats, roosts and the legislation. You can email investigations@bats.org.uk if you have a specific query.

For more information about how BCT and batworkers help prevent bat related crime, find out about our Investigations Project.

Bat Incident Reporting Form

The Bat Conservation Trust needs to know of incidents involving bats or roosts where wildlife legislation may have been breached. This helps us to understand the scale and type of incidents taking place, so that we can more effectively educate and work with the main perpetrators, to try to reduce numbers of similar incidents happening in the future. They will also be followed up. Please let us know of incidents as soon as you become aware of them, and try to use this form so we have the information we need. The information you give will be treated confidentially, and no further action will be taken without your permission.

Data Protection: BCT will use the information you submit only for the purposes of investigating bat-related crimes. BCT will not share this information with any third parties without your prior permission. The information may be published anonymously and in aggregated form for assessing general trends on crime areas, and no incident will be individually identifiable.

Your Name *

Your Telephone Number *

Your address

Your email address

DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT

Where did the incident happen? *

Grid reference of incident if available

Date of incident *
Please give approximate dates if exact date not known

/ /

Date incident discovered *

/ /

Suspect names/addresses/telephone numbers/vehicles

Species of bat affected if known

Summary of incident and any action *
Please give us as much information as possiblE

Have dead or injured bats been retrieved?

Please give details of any other evidence in your possession

Have you informed the police? *

If you have informed the police, please answer the following questions

Name of officer informed

Police station

Telephone number

Anyother relevant contact details

Have the police attended the site?

If yes to above, please give date of visit

/ /

Action taken by police

Are any other organisations involved? If so please given their name and contact details

Have you any other relevant information?

Please either submit this form electronically, or alternatively print and send by post to Investigations Officer, The Bat Conservation Trust, 15 Cloisters House, 8 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BG

* Denotes required field.

Related downloads

Bats and the Law (1 MB) - 01/03/06
A basic introduction to the legal protection of bats in the British Isles. Please note: This leaflet is in the process of being updated to reflect the 2007 amendments to the legislation.