Man arrested after police seize 56,000 bird eggs

A 62-year-old man has been released on bail until 25 January 2025

A man has been arrested after more than 56,000 bird eggs were seized during a series of raids.

Essex Police attended an address in Benfleet, Essex, on Thursday as part of efforts to tackle an illegal trade in wild bird eggs.

The action followed an investigation into the theft and sale of similar eggs in Norway in June 2023.

Police said a 62-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possessing wild bird eggs illegally was released on bail until 25 January 2025.

The force said "more than a dozen" arrests and charges had also been carried out in Norway.

Many of the eggs were found with labels next to them