Police bungle leads to swan killing case being dropped

The three men were charged with shooting the birds, which were found buried in a mass grave at Radwell, Bedfordshire, in October last year along with a marsh harrier and a grey heron.

The case was due to be heard by Bedford Magistrates' Court but the ammunition allegedly used to kill the birds had been lost from Greyfriars Police Station in Bedford. As a result, the CPS felt there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction" and the case was discontinued.

Ian West, head of investigations at the RSPB said: "We are bitterly disappointed and feel we have no choice but to make a formal complaint to Bedfordshire Police about the way this case has been handled. The deliberate killing of these birds is one of the worst cases my department has dealt with in the last 10 years and our officers worked very hard to make sure those responsible were bought to justice.

"It is of lasting regret that a court was not given the chance to hear the evidence available."

Bedfordshire Police have offered to involve the RSPB in an internal review of what went wrong in the case.

Mr West said: "We welcome that opportunity. Wildlife crime is of real concern and we need to make sure that such mistakes are avoided in the future."