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#VisibleLocalTrusted | Today, officers from the Rural & Wildlife Crime Team attended an address in Rugeley following reports of a male shooting pigeons in his garden using an air rifle. Under UK law:
- You must be 18 or over to own or use an air rifle unsupervised.
- Anyone aged 12–17 may only use an air rifle under adult supervision, and children under 12 cannot use one at all.
- It is an offence to use an air weapon in a manner likely to cause danger, or where it could cause alarm or distress to others.
- It is a criminal offence to allow a pellet or projectile to leave the boundary of your property.
Air rifle users must ensure:
- There is a safe backstop.
- Pellets cannot pass into neighbouring gardens, public footpaths, roads, or other land.
- No risk is posed to people, animals, or property. Wildlife Considerations:
All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. While certain species of pigeon may only be controlled under specific circumstances, this must be for lawful reasons (such as preventing serious crop damage) and carried out humanely and safely. Shooting birds in a domestic garden is highly unlikely to meet these legal tests. Our Message:
The misuse of air weapons can lead to seizure of the weapon, prosecution, and more serious consequences if someone is injured. We encourage anyone who owns or uses an air rifle to familiarise themselves with the law and act responsibly at all times. If you have concerns about air weapon use or wildlife crime in your area, please report it to us so we can take appropriate action.
#RuralCrime #WildlifeCrime #AirRifle #KnowTheLaw #Staffordshire #StaffordshirePolice 
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