Lincolnshire Police utilised the option to seek a community resolution, instead of putting an offender before the courts for setting an illegal trap that maimed a hedgehog. 

In June, Lincolnshire Police received a report that a hedgehog had been accidentally caught and injured in a gin trap. The resident was trying to deal with a problem with rats and ordered traps online. 

Hedgehog numbers are dwindling, making it more important to protect this vulnerable mammal (Photo: PUHR)

Gin traps, which were described by Force Wildlife Crime Officer Detective Constable Aaron Flint, as 'barbaric devices with steel jaws,' have been banned in the UK since 1950s due to the 'indiscriminate suffering they cause.' 

The resident, however, was not aware of this. The trap had been bought online and set in the garden, causing a lot of pain and injury to the unknowing hedgehog. 

The hedgehog was taken to Oakham Veterinary Hospital on the advice of local hedgehog rescuers, Prickleback Urchins Hedgehog Rescue. Sadly, the hedgehog's injuries were too severe, and it had to be put to sleep. 

Rachel and her partner Jason have dedicated their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating hedgehogs (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Speaking on this sad incident, Rachel Thomas from Prickleback Urchins said: 'Despite being voted Britain's favourite mammal, and the gardener's friend, the humble hedgehog is so often the victim of human actions.' 

Lincolnshire Police chose to pursue a community resolution, rather than taking the offender to court. Community resolutions are a more timely, effective and transparent option which allow police officers to use their judgement in resolving investigations. 

In this case, the offender paid a large sum of money to the hedgehog rescue. 

'The money will contribute to our expansion project which commences in August,' said Rachel, 'and will therefore, in a small way, see long term good come from such a thoughtless act. 

'The indiscriminate nature of the type of trap used is sadly just one example of how human behaviour can result in the injury and death of such an unassuming little creature simply following its nose. 

Human thoughtlessness and carelessness are having a big impact on hedgehog populations (Photo: Grace Kennington)

'Our plea is for everyone to think about how their actions could impact on this vulnerable nocturnal species that is so rarely considered until it is too late. As a rescue, we work with around 150 hedgehogs each year and too many are injured through human negligence.' 

Detective Constable Aaron Flint, Force Wildlife Crime Officer, said: "I want to make it clear that setting gin traps in the open is illegal and poses a serious risk to people and wildlife. Under the Spring Traps Approval Order, only certain types of spring traps are permitted for specific uses, and they must be used in accordance with strict guidelines. 

"Gin traps—barbaric devices with steel jaws—have been outlawed in the UK since the 1950s due to the indiscriminate suffering they cause. 

"In this instance, a hedgehog, a protected and declining species, was found trapped and injured in one of these traps, which had been set to catch rats. This is not only deeply upsetting but also a criminal offence under both the Wildlife and Countryside Act and animal welfare legislation. 

"People should understand that using banned or unapproved traps, especially in open areas, is both irresponsible and illegal. Offenders can face prosecution, and we will always investigate reported cases." 

Community resolutions can include the offender attending education, rehabilitation or paying compensation. They give us an opportunity to resolve low level crimes in a timely manner, without taking the case to court. 

Check out the incredible work Prickleback Urchins Hedgehog Rescue is doing for our endangered spikey friends in and around Rutland by visiting their website and Facebook page or donating to their GoFundMe.