Policing steps up enforcement of hunting prohibitions

The police have stepped up the enforcement of hunting prohibitions imposed by courts by introducing a national procedure where hunting prohibitions imposed by district and appellate courts are recorded in the police information system.

The courts forward final decisions on hunting prohibitions to the registry of the police unit in the person's place of residence. The police enter the information into the police information system, where a wanted notice regarding an existing hunting prohibition is recorded for the person. This entry remains in effect throughout Finland until the date on which the hunting prohibition expires.

The purpose of the procedure is to improve the enforcement of hunting prohibitions. When the police check a person's information in the course of their official duties, information about a valid hunting prohibition is displayed regardless of the police duty concerned. This means a prohibition can also be taken into account in situations where facts related to a person's hunting rights or activities need to be assessed.

Hunting prohibitions are laid down in chapter 48a, section 6 [515/2002] of the Penal Code. A court may impose a temporary hunting prohibition on a person sentenced for a hunting offence if the person is deemed to have demonstrated manifest disregard of the provisions governing hunting. A person subject to a hunting prohibition may not hunt or act as a hunting master referred to in the Hunting Act during the validity of the prohibition. Violation of a hunting prohibition is punishable.

A nationally consistent recording practice improves the authorities' situational awareness, supports the prevention of hunting offences and facilitates the effective enforcement of hunting prohibitions as part of everyday policing.