Meet Our Animal Crimewatch Team

What’s your role at the League?

The Animal Crimewatch Team handle public enquiries, primarily concerning reports of animal cruelty in the name of sport, providing empathetic support and accurate guidance/information.

We provide support to the Campaigns Team in alignment with current organisational priorities.  Our role also involves offering information, guidance and empathetic support to individuals seeking assistance.

Carrying background research and where possible, developing information into actionable intelligence, working closely with other NGO’s (non-government agencies) and liaising with law enforcement and other relevant agencies, sharing intelligence and packages to support broader investigations and enforcement efforts.

What are the team dynamics like at the League?

Although we work remotely, the team operates in a highly collaborative and cohesive manner.  Within the intelligence team, we communicate daily to discuss ongoing cases and share intelligence and updates.  There is also consistent and proactive interaction between the intelligence team and other departments, ensuring that we remain aligned and work collectively towards shared organisational goals. 

How do you manage work-life balance in your role?

Working from home allows us to balance professional responsibilities with family life and pets.  A structured routine, set working hours and a dedicated workspace help us stay focused and productive, whilst the flexibility supports our wellbeing.  Our role requires empathy and confidentiality when supporting the public, and remote working helps us maintain the resilience needed for this.

What are some of the common challenges you face in your role?

A key challenge in our role is managing the emotional impact of distressing content and interactions, including upset callers and graphic material such as dog fighting footage.  Maintaining composure, empathy and professionalism in these situations is essential and we rely on self-care and peer support to manage the emotional demands of the role.

What Learning and Development opportunities are there?

There are a variety of learning and development opportunities available, which support both personal and professional growth.  We have regular ‘lunch and learn’ sessions led by colleagues across the organisation, covering a wide range of topics and encouraging continuous learning.  There is also the opportunity to propose external courses or training relevant to our roles, which is actively supported.  In addition, we learn from each other and share best practice within and across teams, which helps to build collective knowledge and strengthen our overall effectiveness.

What have been your highlights since joining the League?

Operation Ghoul was a Police led investigation into a dog fighting ring.  The Intelligence Team were able to provide intelligence which assisted the investigation, leading to the conviction of several individuals.  Billy LEADLEY was one of those convicted, he was found guilty of nine offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006; including keeping a premises for use in fighting, taking part in a fight by refereeing, and keeping and/or training a dog for use in a dog fight.  On 03/06/2024 he was jailed for 4 years at Chelmsford Crown Court.

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Another key highlight has been witnessing the growth and development of the intelligence team.  What began as a small, emerging function has evolved into a fully structured and operational intelligence unit, aligned with the Police National Intelligence Model (NIM).  We now have a dedicated Head of Intelligence, an Analyst, Intelligence Coordinators, a Researcher and Field Intelligence Operatives – all working cohesively.  Another significant milestone has been the successful implementation of a fully functioning intelligence database, which has greatly enhanced our ability to process, analyse and act on information effectively.  We’ve been instrumental in creating and establishing a WhatsApp reporting function, which has significantly improved accessibility for the public and made it easier for individuals to report concerns. 

Being a part of this journey and contributing to the team’s professionalisation and impact, together with seeing the results we can achieve, has been incredibly rewarding.

Animal Crimewatch Team