Hen Harriers are among Britain's rarest bird of prey

Hen harriers prey on grouse chicks, and many are shot or poisoned and their eggs destroyed on shooting estates.

Tuesday's launch of Operation Artemis makes harming hen harriers one of the most serious wildlife crimes in the UK.

Anyone harming the birds, their nests or eggs faces a fine of up to �5,000 or six months in prison for each incident.

Rural beat officers will visit game and land managers to inform them of the police powers and ask them to support the initiative.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) wildlife crime investigations section head Graham Elliott called the initiative a "wake-up call to hen harrier persecutors".

"Any suspicion of crime against hen harriers will be a high priority for police officers," he added.

North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom said the hen harrier would be "afforded the highest level of legal protection".

"Extinction of any species of wildlife in the UK through criminal activity is unacceptable in the 21st century," he added.

It is high time we reached a situation where we no longer have to guard harrier nests 24 hours a day RSPB regional director Andy Bunten

Last year there were just 22 breeding attempts by hen harriers in England, and only eight were successful.

There were a further 18 pairs nesting in Wales, and between 365 and 506 in Scotland.

RSPB regional director Andy Bunten said: "The absence of hen harriers from wide swathes of upland England is a national disgrace.

"It is high time we reached a situation where we no longer have to guard harrier nests 24 hours a day, where harriers can nest without constant danger of persecution, and members of the public can have opportunities to enjoy watching these spectacular birds," he added.