Three-metre polar bear skin takes centre stage (From Your Local Guardian)

Three metre polar bear skin takes centre stage at police exhibition

7:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Wandsworth

A three-metre long polar bear skin has taken centre stage at an exhibition of items seized by the Met's Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU).

The pelt was found in a warehouse in Wandsworth in 2009 and is one of a number of exhibits on display.

The exhibition, held in City Hall, Southwark, is being held to mark a new partnership between the WCU and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

The animal charity’s funding has safeguarded the future of the unit, with more staff being hired and allowing the unit to expand to better tackle wildlife crime.

Simon Pope, of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), said: "This is not some niche, illicit trade carried out by petty part-time villains.

"It is a major source of revenue for a global network of hardened criminals, gangs and drug lords; all growing rich from the trafficking of wildlife."

Also on display are rhino horns worth £200,000 and a 10 day old ‘decorative’ stuffed tiger cub.