POOLE Harbour’s Black-headed and Mediterranean Gull colonies will be getting police protection this spring - in a bid to smash a poaching ring that can net organised criminals tens of thousands of pounds.

Last year, during a survey of the harbour’s western islands, conservation workers discovered most of the 9,000 gull nests were empty of eggs.

Human footprints were also discovered criss-crossing the uninhabited islands where the colonies are located.

While Black-headed Gull eggs can be legally harvested under licence for sale to the gourmet food industry, collection of them in Poole Harbour is strictly prohibited.

And Mediterranean Gull eggs, which look almost identical to their Black-headed counterparts, may not even be safe for human consumption.

Experts believe, last year, organised gangs swiped hundreds of Mediterranean eggs for sale for top London restaurants, mistaking them for the Black-headed Gull variety.

The eggs of Black-headed gulls, considered a luxury food item, are legally sold online for £7 each.

Now, Dorset Police’s marine division has teamed-up with the charity Birds of Poole Harbour (BOPH) in a bid to protect the seabirds.

Officer Joel Brooks said: “Wildlife crime affects everyone.

“Having a marine section gives us a waterborne capability to patrol these hard to reach areas meaning we can carry out night and day surveillance operations.”

Metropolitan Police will also make enquiries at establishments likely to be buying and selling the eggs.

Last year’s discovery of the missing Poole Harbour eggs prompted officers from the Met to visit 13 of the capital’s restaurants.

There are around 20 licensed ‘pickers’ in the UK, all registered with Natural England. While Black-headed Gull eggs can be collected legally in this way at five small UK sites, none of these are within Dorset.

BOPH’s Paul Morton said: “Mediterranean Gulls are a schedule one species meaning they have the highest level of protection under the wildlife and countryside act, meaning it is highly illegal to interfere with their nests or eggs.” Anyone found in possession of a Mediterranean Gull egg could find themselves in hot water.”