The RSPB is offering a £5,000 reward for anyone who has any information that leads to a conviction after five young hawks were shot dead. 

The goshawks were found in the King's Forest, between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford, on Tuesday.

X-rays were undertaken which showed all five birds had suffered injuries from multiple pieces of shot.

East Anglian Daily Times: The x-ray of the birdsThe x-ray of the birds (Image: Suffolk police)

All birds of prey are protected by law, and to kill or injure one could result in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

Mark Thomas, the RSPB’s Head of Investigations UK, said: “Anyone who values the natural world and abhors those who actively and criminally look to destroy it will feel as outraged as we do about this utterly despicable incident.

"We are calling on anyone who has information to come forward to the police.”

The RSPB is working with Suffolk Police to help identify the culprit and has offered a reward of £5,000 to anyone who comes forward with information which leads to a conviction.

This is the highest amount ever offered by the conservation charity, which has described the incident as "utterly despicable".

Goshawks are elusive birds of prey, around the size of a Buzzard, with yellow eyes and streaked undersides. They live quietly in forests in a handful of locations in the UK including Thetford Forest where these birds were found.

East Anglian Daily Times: Head of Suffolk's Rural Crime unit Sgt Brian CalverHead of Suffolk's Rural Crime unit Sgt Brian Calver (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Sergeant Brian Calver from Suffolk Police said: “This is a serious wildlife crime against an amazing schedule one bird of prey that was once driven to extinction in Britain.

"There is no place for such activity in modern times. Whoever is responsible for this needs to be brought to justice and I’d urge anybody with any information whatsoever to let us know.”

The illegal killing of birds of prey remains a widespread national problem. The RSPB’s annual Birdcrime report for 2021, published in November 2022, revealed 108 confirmed incidents of birds of prey being shot, trapped or poisoned. However, the true number is likely to be far higher. 

Anyond with information should call Suffolk police on 101 and quote case reference 37/3027/23 or to get in touch anonymously, call the RSPB’s dedicated Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.