NORTH Yorkshire Police and the RSPB have launched an investigation into the sudden disappearance of a hen harrier named Arthur.

The rare bird of prey had been tracked by the RSPB via a lightweight satellite tag since it hatched in the Peak District during the summer. On the morning of Friday, October 26, he flew onto the North York Moors National Park, but his body or tracking tag have not been located despite extensive searches by the RSPB investigations team who now believe Arthur may have come to harm and the tag has been destroyed.

Sergeant Kevin Kelly, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: "The sudden disappearance of Arthur is deeply concerning and we are working with the RSPB to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

"This is a severe blow to the Hen Harrier project and an unwanted addition to the already concerning and ever-raising numbers of hen harriers that are just ‘vanishing’. I encourage any information that could help me forward this investigation. These rare birds are one of the jewels in the crown of the English countryside. We have been looking around last known locations but there has been no sign of Arthur."

Anyone with information should phone police on 101, email RuralTaskforce@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 quoting reference NYP-31102018-0238.