BIRD poisonings in which pigeons are used as bait – in particular to target protected peregrine falcons in south Devon – are being highlighted by police.

They are appealing for public vigilance after a history of poisonings which could have resulted in serious injury or death to children.

Around a year ago Whitecleave Quarry, Buckfastleigh, became a target for the attempted poisonings of peregrine falcons, and prior to 2011 a homing pigeon was wing-clipped and had poison spread on its back to make an easy prey for peregrines to catch and be poisoned.