Project to reduce deer suffering saves £60k

The project to prevent deer suffering in Hampshire was launched about 15 years ago

A volunteer scheme that seeks to reduce deer suffering if they are injured on roads has helped save a police force nearly £60,000 in a year, it said.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it tries to deploy a Humane Animal Dispatch (HAD) volunteer rather than a firearms officer if deer are injured.

The HAD volunteers are all experts in deer management and help the force "have the right resource in the right situation", it said.

Insp Stuart Ross, who leads the scheme, said the volunteers are "invaluable".

"The support they provide to policing at the roadside is phenomenal – not only are they experts in their field, ensuring that animals do not suffer unnecessarily in the aftermath of a collision, but as an asset their deployment ensures other police resources can direct their focus elsewhere," he added.

The force started the scheme about 15 years ago, initially as an agreement with gamekeepers, farmers, deerstalkers and deer managers.

The project was launched for the first time about 15 years ago but redeveloped in 2022

It was redeveloped in 2022 and similar projects have been rolled out by other forces across the UK.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary estimates annual savings could increase to more than £100,000 in 2025, given the increasing deer population and anticipated rise in HAD volunteers.

The project is supported by the British Deer Society, the RSPCA, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA) and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).

David McAuley, the chief executive of the British Deer Society, said: "By continuing to collaborate with key partners and dedicated volunteers, we can help ensure that this critical work to alleviate deer suffering on UK roads will expand and thrive across the country."