Man arrested over illegal wild birds' eggs trade

Police said an operation was "ongoing" in South Yorkshire over the illegal trading of wild birds' eggs

A man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of offences relating to the illegal trading of wild birds' eggs, police have said.

The 57-year-old man was held on Thursday after officers carried out a warrant in Thurnscoe, according to South Yorkshire Police.

The warrant was part of a wider operation, co-ordinated in the UK by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), to tackle international organised illegal wildlife trade, specifically the taking, possession and trading of wild birds' eggs, a force spokesperson said.

The arrested man had since been bailed, they added.

The operation in Thurnscoe was a collaboration between different teams within the South Yorkshire force.

The NWCU worked alongside the force's motorcycle and rural crime team, neighbourhood officers and other specialist roles including search officers and digital media investigators, police said.

The operation was "ongoing", and officers appealed for anyone with information about wildlife or rural crime to get in touch.

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