POLICE have issued a warning about setting traps for and catching hedgehogs after recording two crimes of "unnecessary suffering".

Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Leeds West Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) posted the alert on their Facebook page yesterday.

They explained that the force has been made aware of people setting traps and catching the spikey, protected animals in the Pudsey area over the past few weeks.

This practice has caused injury to hedgehogs in the area.

Police revealed they have recorded two crimes of "unnecessary suffering" in relation to this.

Hedgehogs are legally protected from trapping and intentional harm and their numbers in the UK have dropped by around a third since the turn of the millenium.

Road traffic is seen as the biggest contributor to the animal's decline.

If anyone has any information that could help police, you should contact them on 101, or using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Police website.

You should quote reference number: 13220581750.

A full statement from Leeds West NPT said: "In the last few weeks or so we have been made aware of problems with people setting traps and catching hedgehogs causing injury in the Pudsey area.

"Two crimes have been recorded for unnecessary suffering.

"Sadly this seems to be a problem in the area.

"If anyone has any information please call 101 and quote 13220581750."

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