A BIRD charity is calling on the Government to make wildlife crime a higher priority as a report reveals the number of violent acts against birds in the South West has doubled.

The figures from the RSPB's annual Birdcrime report show that, although the number of incidents affecting raptors in the region has dropped slightly, gulls, swallows and swans are increasing suffering at the hands of criminals.

The report, released today, states that in Devon, Cornwall and Gloucestershire, non bird of prey incidents have more than doubled since 2006, and gulls seem to be suffering the most.

RSPB spokesman Sophie Atherton said: “We understand gulls' behaviour and habits can be annoying to some people, but that is absolutely no excuse for the sort of violent acts that have been committed against these birds.

“Gulls are legally protected and it is a crime to wantonly kill or injure them. It is also incredibly cruel.”

As well as numerous reports of gulls being shot, there have also been incidents where they were kicked or beaten to death. And they are not the only victims – even garden birds like pied wagtails, blackbirds and blue tits have been hit.

Ms Atherton said: “The statistics and details that have come to light through this report are shocking and disgusting.

“The only glimmer of hope is the knowledge that there are many more people out there that love wildlife than the minority that are prepared to destroy it through criminal acts.”

Nationally, the number of crimes committed against birds of prey reached an all-time high last year, increasing by 40 per cent on the previous year.

Reports of crimes against all wild birds were at record levels for the second year in a row, with 1,208 separate incidents reported to the RSPB's investigations department in 2007.

As a result, the RSPB is urging the Government to make tackling the illegal persecution of birds of prey and other wildlife a higher priority for the UK's police forces.

Ian West, head of investigations at the RSPB, said: “It is hard to say whether the problem is increasing or whether we are just getting to hear about more of the offences that are taking place.

“What is clear is that very large numbers of birds are being killed illegally every year and that is totally unacceptable in a civilised society.

“There has to be a greater effort to enforce the law.”

He urged the Home Office to make it clear to police forces that wildlife crime needed to be given a higher priority.

The RSPB is also asking members of the public to pledge their support for an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey at www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey