POLICE are probing the disappearance of a young hen harrier - a protected bird - from Threshfield Moor.

The bird, called John, who fledged in Northumberland in 2016, was last located on the moor on October 1 when his tag stopped transmitting.

Natural England is working closely with North Yorkshire Police wildlife crime officers, landowners and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to trace the bird.

Rob Cooke, a Director at Natural England, said interference with hen harriers was a criminal offence.

"The loss of another juvenile hen harrier brings the total to six within fourteen months across northern England - and is a serious blow to the small English hen harrier population.

"The sudden disappearance of the hen harrier, John, is a matter of grave concern. We urge anyone with information to get in touch with North Yorkshire Police.”

Sergeant Stuart Grainger, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said :“Those responsible for bird of prey persecution, either directly or indirectly, should be ashamed - these birds belong to everyone and are part of our natural heritage.

"The fate of this particular hen harrier remains unsolved at this time, but we are appealing for any information to assist the investigation.”

Yorkshire Dales National Park chief executive David Butterworth said: “It's highly likely that a crime has taken place on Threshfield Moor. With colleagues in the ranger service, I'm doing all I can to support North Yorkshire Police. Someone must know something. I urge that person to contact the police.”

John was fitted with a satellite tag in July 2016 by a hen harrier expert from Natural England. He wintered in the same approximate area of Yorkshire in 2016/17, returned to Scotland and the Borders in spring/summer 2017, then back to Yorkshire in September 2017.

His tag stopped transmitting on October 1 in the Threshfield Moor area and despite a search there has been no trace of the bird or equipment.

Anyone with any information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 - or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 to discuss the incident or to discuss any other information regarding alleged persecution of birds of prey. Please quote reference number 12170208338 when passing information.