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RSPCA figures released in September 2010 showed a shocking increase in the number of calls reporting crimes against badgers.

This saddening rise indicates badger crime is still rife in the English and Welsh countrysides, despite badger digging being banned in 1973 and badger baiting – where dogs are pitted against a badger – being banned as long ago as 1835.

The statistics are unveiled in this podcast episode, in which Chief Inspector Ian Briggs from our Special Operations Unit discusses badger crime and what is being done to bring those responsible to justice.