Suella Braverman

Secondary poisoning of buzzards and red kites is often caused by improper use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Deliberate misuse is a criminal offence. Where wild birds of prey are killed illegally the full force of the law will apply to any proven perpetrators of the crime. Defra supports the National Wildlife Crime Unit which helps prevent and detect wildlife crimes such as illegal poisoning by obtaining and disseminating intelligence and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) rather than Defra has policy responsibility for rodenticides which are an essential tool in managing the danger and economic costs of rodents spreading diseases, damaging property and disrupting food supplies. Given the potential risks posed to the environment by rodenticides, they are subject to strict regulation.

A stewardship regime has been set up to promote responsible use of rodenticides. For professional users, verification of competence is required at the point of sale to ensure only those who are properly trained can use them. The stewardship regime is currently under review and the outcome is expected in 2025. Furthermore, as of 4 July 2024, it is no longer possible to purchase anticoagulant rodenticides for use outdoors in open areas.

The Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) was introduced in 2006 to allow a proportion of the proceeds of crime recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), to be redistributed to agencies involved in the asset recovery process. Funds recovered under POCA that do not enter ARIS, represent either victim compensation or recovery costs associated with asset recovery.

The Government is also mindful of considerations which may apply under international law, including under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). When an asset return under UNCAC takes place these funds will not be distributed under ARIS.

Further details can be found in the annual asset recovery statistical bulletin published on GOV.UK: Asset recovery statistical bulletin: financial years ending 2019 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 enables law enforcement agencies to deprive criminals of their money, or other property connected to criminal activity, and recover the proceeds of crime.

Recovered criminal proceeds can subsequently be returned in compensation to victims (following criminal conviction) or reinvested for use in tackling crime through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) and ARIS ‘Top Slice’ grant.

Information on both victim compensation and ARIS can be found in the data tables within the Asset Recovery Statistical Bulletin, which is published annually by the Home Office. Data on victim compensation can be found in tab 2 and data on ARIS allocations and money allocated to Top Slice projects can be found in tabs 12 - 14 within the published data tables which can be found here: Asset recovery statistics, financial years ending 2019 to 2024: Data Tables.

The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on the number of police officers on recuperative duties (duties falling short of full deployment, undertaken by a police officer following an injury, accident, illness or medical incident), and those on long-term sick absence (that have lasted for more than 28 calendar days), as at 31 March each year in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.

Information on long-term sick absences each year as at 31 March 2007 to 2024, can be found in the ‘Absences Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64ba613a2059dc00125d2782/open-data-table-police-workforce-absence-260723.ods.

Information on the number of police officers on recuperative duties each year as at 31 March 2016 to 2024, can be found in the ‘Limited Duties Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669fb849a3c2a28abb50d546/open-data-table-police-workforce-limited-duties-240724.ods.

The Home Office does not collect data on the specific length of time a police officer has been on long-term absence or recuperative duties.

The Home Office does not collect data on the reason for recuperative duties. As such it is not possible to separately determine the number of police officers on restrictive duties due to physical and psychological injury.

The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on the number of police officers leaving the police service in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.

Information on the number of police officers leaving via medical retirement, between the years ending 31 March 2007 to 2024, can be found in the ‘Leavers Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669a917cce1fd0da7b59294f/open-data-table-police-workforce-leavers-240724.ods

The Home Office does not collect data on the specific reason for medical retirement.