EXPERTISE AND knowledge vital to the fight against wildlife crime was pooled yesterday as specialist police officers from Sweden liaised with Scottish counterparts.

Four officials from the Scandinavian country made the trip to Tayside in a bid to discover more about the types of environmental crime dealt with in Scotland.

During their visit the detective inspectors and detective chief inspectors visited the British School of Falconry at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire.

The Swedes took time out to learn about a variety of birds of prey, how falcons are used and how to identify them.

Alan Stewart, wildlife and environment officer for Tayside Police, arranged the visit.

In 2004 he took part in an environmental crime course in Madrid and was pleased to be given the further opportunity to break down cross-border barriers.

“Like any other offence, wildlife crime is not restricted by the borders of different countries,” he said.

“While in Spain I formed a very good working relationship with the Swedish delegate and I am delighted that the Swedish police feel they can learn from our experiences here in Scotland.”

The Scandinavian delegates also visited the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), based at North Berwick.

A police-led organisation, the NWCU represents the conduit between all agencies that have a legal obligation or interest in dealing with wildlife crime.

It has strong international links with agencies overseas and the Swedish officers were delighted to visit.