West Midlands Rogue pigeon fanciers are believed to be behind a “barbaric” campaign to kill peregrine falcons.

Eight illegal spring-loaded traps have been found close to peregrine nests in the past three weeks and at least one of the protected birds has died. The steel traps are thought to have been set as part of a “concerted campaign” to kill as many of the birds as possible in the West Midlands.

The traps, also known as break-back traps, are designed to snap shut when an animal puts its weight on a pressure pad. Rats and other small mammals are often killed instantly but birds tend to be caught by their feet to suffer a lingering and painful death.

Information passed to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) suggests that a small group of pigeon fanciers who blame birds of prey for the loss of some of their best racing birds are responsible. Detective Constable Neil Powell, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This is an extremely barbaric and deplorable act that we are taking very seriously.”

Police and the RSPB appealed for information about anyone setting the traps. The RSPB announced that it is offering a reward of up to £1,000.

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