Denmark will create police unit to tackle environmental and animal crimes

Denmark will establish a national police unit to tackle crimes against nature, the environment and animal welfare, DR reports. About 10 million kroner has been allocated to strengthen the effort under a multi-year agreement.

The Justice Ministry told Ritzau that the unit will be based within Southeast Jutland Police.

“We must not accept people changing protected coastal slopes without permission or choosing to dig up a bog,” Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen said. He called protecting nature a core government priority and said that requires a strong response to environmental and nature-related crime.

Wammen said a larger, specialised unit would provide the best conditions for work on nature and environmental crime, as well as animal welfare. He also said the arrangement would support the government’s aim of maintaining strong workplaces across Denmark.

The unit will be established gradually, Southeast Jutland Police told Ritzau. Police Director Brian Fussing said preparations include finding a location, bringing tasks together, recruiting staff, developing the organisation and planning the transfer of work from police districts.

Resources will also be added, but it is too early to say how many employees the unit will have. It is expected to be fully established by the second quarter of 2028 at the latest.