Bats and the Law

In Britain, bats and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and in England and Wales the CRoW Act 2000.

There are three main areas of protection which means it is illegal to:

• Recklessly kill or injure any bat
• Disturb a bat at roost
• Damage a roost site or obstruct the entrance

It is not illegal though, to remove bats from the living area of a house or to rescue injured or abandoned bats as they may be released when recovered.

If bats are unwelcome or should any work be planned anywhere suspected of housing bats, Natural England must be consulted. Work will not necessarily be prevented, but advice will be given on the least disturbing way of doing it.