A host of countryside organisations have teamed up with the police and the Environment and Heritage for the launch of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW), which will be attended by the PSNI's new Wildlife liaison officer, Emma Meredith.

Badger baiting, illegal hare coursing, trapping of finches and persecution of birds of prey by shooting or poisoning will be among the activities investigated by the group. PAW will include representatives of field sports organisations as well as wildlife groups.

Until now, Northern Ireland has lagged behind in terms of wildlife crime enforcement, according to Fionna Smyth of the League Against Cruel Sports.

"We feel that if there are laws in existence they need to be enforced and this group is a great opportunity to make sure that wildlife crime is combated," she said.

"We are particularly interested in things such as illegal hare coursing, because the Irish hare is declining in numbers and we are concerned that with illegal poaching and coursing it will decline to a point of no return."

Clare Ferry of the RSPB said the group was delighted that the PSNI has now appointed a Wildlife liaison officer and encouraged the public to report wildlife crime.

"We are concerned about crimes against wildlife, especially birds of prey. There was a case last September where a buzzard was poisoned and some peregrines were shot," she said.

"This group will be doing joint lobbying to improve wildlife legislation and its enforcement."

DUP Assembly member Jim Wells said he has been pushing for a group like PAW and a dedicated police officer for some time.

"I am pleased that we've now got this in place," he said.

"We've got to have a group that publicises these issues and makes the public aware of what is going on.

"Badger baiting is a big issue and there was a very notable prosecution recently in Katesbridge.

"We want to raise the whole issue of illegal persecution of birds of prey which is causing serious stress in populations in particular parts of Northern Ireland," he added.

"The group will get statistics on the extent of wildlife crime in Northern Ireland, liaise with the authorities to publicise and prosecute where necessary."

Members of the public are watching over peregrine nesting sites in the Newtownards area, he said.

"People don't want Northern Ireland to be known as a place for badger baiting, illegal hare coursing and poisoning. The vast majority of the public would be totally opposed to this."