NORTH Yorkshire has the highest rate of crimes against birds of prey in the country, according to the RSPB.

Birds such as owls and red kites are at risk of being poisoned, shot, trapped or having their nests destroyed according to the charity.

And a spokesman for the organisation said there were 15 incidents of birds of prey being persecuted in North Yorkshire in 2017 but many more illegal killings go unreported.

They added that prosecution is also a problem, with only one person convicted for a bird of prey persecution offence in 2017.

Martin Harper, RSPB conservation director, said: “Birds of prey are part of our heritage and inspire us. We should all be able to enjoy seeing these magnificent birds, however illegal activity continues to put species at risk. There are laws in place to protect these birds but they are clearly not being respected or adequately enforced. We need governments across the UK to do more to tackle illegal killing to protect our raptors for us and for future generations to enjoy.”