THOUSANDS of wild birds eggs have been seized and a man has been arrested after police raided a home in Benfleet.

A 62-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing wild bird eggs illegally as police searched a Benfleet home last Thursday, with thousands of eggs seized.

 

The raid was carried out by Essex Police's wildlife crime specialists as part of co-ordinated police activity across the UK to tackle the illegal trade in wild bird eggs, with similar searches taking place elsewhere.

Raid - police seized thousands of wild birds eggsRaid - police seized thousands of wild birds eggs (Image: Essex Police)

The man has since been released on bail until January 25.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Our investigation has fallen out from an investigation into the theft and sale of bird eggs which originated in Norway in June 2023.

"Since then, more than a dozen warrants have been carried out, more than 56,000 bird eggs seized, and more than a dozen arrests and charges in Norway."