Gardeners warned they face prison for drowning squirrels

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Police have told allotment holders that drowning the vermin is not permitted, and is urging people to dial 999 if they witness the crime.

It is believed that some allotment holders have been telling fellow gardeners that trapping and drowning the creatures, which can damage plants, is allowed.

Sergeant Rowan Healey, borough wildlife crime officer, said: "There is clearly a misunderstanding here because anybody advising others to drown squirrels is encouraging them to break the law."

He added that allotment holders could get advice on discouraging squirrels without harming them.

"The police, together with their partners the RSPCA, will take action against anybody in Waltham Forest found to be breaking the laws that protect our wildlife," said Sgt Healey.

It is legal to kill squirrels humanely. It is not legal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to release squirrels, so anybody catching one is obliged to kill it but without causing suffering to the animal.

Drowning the animals is a criminal offence and carries a maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine or six months in prison.