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Lincolnshire police officer named Wildlife Enforcer of the Year




A Lincolnshire Police officer has been awarded a top cop award.

DC Aaron Flint has been named Wildlife Enforcer of the Year after investigating crimes involving animals for more than two decades.

He has shown determination and tenacity in targeting offences within Lincolnshire covering a broad spectrum of wildlife offences.

DC Aaron Flint receiving his award from DCC Nigel Harrison, NPCC National Lead for Wildlife Crime and Rural Affairs (left) and Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (right). Image: Guy Shorrock
DC Aaron Flint receiving his award from DCC Nigel Harrison, NPCC National Lead for Wildlife Crime and Rural Affairs (left) and Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (right). Image: Guy Shorrock

DC Flint - whose role includes cracking down on hare coursing and badger baiting - was announced the winner of the award on Thursday, December 5, at the National Wildlife Crime Conference, hosted by the National Wildlife Crime Unit and sponsored by partners of the unit.

Working alongside Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT), he completes detailed investigations into wildlife crime and advises the force on all wildlife related matters.

Chief Constable Paul Gibson said: “I am incredibly proud of DC Flint and pass on both my own personal congratulations and those of his colleagues in the force for winning the Wildlife Enforcer of the Year award.

Dc Aaron Flint - Wildlife Enforcer of the Year 2024
Dc Aaron Flint - Wildlife Enforcer of the Year 2024

“Aaron is an incredible officer dedicated to the conservation and preservation of wildlife.

“Wildlife crime takes place across all of our beautiful county; rural crime affects our farming and rural communities and Aaron through his dedication and passion is a great ambassador for both promoting the extensive work to keep people safe but also in his endeavours to investigate some of the more complex area of wildlife crime.

“We are all incredibly proud of him.”

DC Aaron Flint invited LincsOnline to join him in search of hare coursers
DC Aaron Flint invited LincsOnline to join him in search of hare coursers

DC Flint - who has a degree in Zoology from the University of Wales -covers all aspects of wildlife crime in his role, including the more well-known offences of hare coursing, badger baiting, fox hunting and deer poaching.

He is also trained in the specialised areas of the illegal trade of wildlife, endangered species of wild fauna, flora and wetlands, protection of world cultural and national heritage and conservation of migratory wild animals.

The extensive and detailed investigations he has completed have led to the successful prosecution of deer poachers, hare coursers and for fox hunting.

DC Aaron Flint, Wildlife Rural Crime Officer for Lincolnshire Police
DC Aaron Flint, Wildlife Rural Crime Officer for Lincolnshire Police

Prosecutions for the illegal breeding of falcons and the trapping and poisoning of birds of prey are currently going through the courts.

These offences require complex and detailed work, often with short time limits set by the legislation. I

Alongside his work on the RCAT, DC Flint is also co-chair of the Hunting with Hounds Priority Delivery Group and chair of the Badger Priority Delivery Group.

DC Aaron Flint
DC Aaron Flint

The priority delivery groups are part of the Rural Affairs Strategy developed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and delivered by the National Wildlife Crime Unit.

Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, said: "This was a special moment to recognise Aaron as the number one enforcer in the UK. Aaron’s enthusiasm is infections, his commitment and dedication to tackling wildlife crime should rightly receive the national spotlight.

"Policing wildlife crime is specialist and often polarised, Aaron never faulters and influences locally, regionally and nationally.

DC Aaron Flint, Wildlife Rural Crime Officer for Lincolnshire Police
DC Aaron Flint, Wildlife Rural Crime Officer for Lincolnshire Police

“Many wildlife crimes are committed by dangerous offenders or members of serious and organised crime groups.

“Aaron takes his passion for protecting the natural world, and shows where it fits into the national policing picture, keeping communities safe and protecting the vulnerable."



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