Picking bulbs like snowdrops could endanger species

Criminal gangs are "plundering" the Scottish countryside by stealing wild plants and moss, police have warned.

Now officers are urging gardeners to ask questions when making their purchases.

And the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) has warned that picking popular garden bulbs such as bluebells and snowdrops could endanger species.

A national campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the crime.

John Ralston, licensing officer at Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) said: "At this time of year people want to buy plants and hanging baskets for their gardens but we want them to be aware that they could be buying products which have been taken illegally or which are damaging the environment.

"We are concerned that many species, such as Sphagnum moss, which forms a vital protective layer for peatbogs, are being plundered in large quantities by commercial pickers to fuel this trade.

Moss gathering

"We want people to ask more questions about the source of these plants and to encourage the development of a sustainable plant industry."

SNH said �34,000 worth of damage had been caused in one case of Sphagnum moss gathering in South Lanarkshire.

A load of snowdrop bulbs with a retail value of �60,000 was seized in Fife in a separate case.

Postcards are being distributed featuring bluebells

Strathclyde Police wildlife liaison officer Phil Briggs said: "In the last few years we have uncovered several cases of large scale Sphagnum moss and bluebell bulb collection in Lanarkshire, often carried out by organised criminal gangs, who then sell their products on to the gardening trade.

"We know that plant crime is going on throughout the country but because of the remote locations where these gangs operate it is difficult to assess the scale of the operation.

"It is a crime to take protected wild plants and it is illegal to take any plant without the permission of the landowner so we need landowners and members of the public to report this type of activity."

The PAW campaign has been organised by SNH, the wild plant conservation charity Plantlife Scotland and Strathclyde Police and is funded by the Scottish Executive.

It will distribute postcards of bluebells featuring the message "Stolen from the Wild" through the offices of conservation organisations, public visitor centres and garden centres.