POLICE have launched a new operation to protect birds and wildlife on the shores of Maldon and the Dengie Peninsula.

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team (RET) will work alongside the RSPB, RSPCA, the Essex Wildlife Trust, and for the first time this year, the Marine Management Organisation as well as the Marine Unit at Burnham-on-Crouch.

Operation Seabird, which is aimed at raising awareness and educating visitors to the coastline on how to respect nesting birds and marine wildlife and prevent them from being disturbed.

PC Jed Raven, from the Rural Engagement Team, said: "We have a fantastic coastline and variety of wildlife here in Essex and we need to make sure they are protected and there for future generations.

"Our focus is to ensure that the public using these areas can help us to achieve that. By keeping disruption to an absolute minimum, we will help these animals thrive."

RET will be patrolling our coastline on land while the Marine Unit will be doing the same on the water.

Geoff Edmond, RSPCA Inspectorate National Wildlife Coordinator, said: "Every year, the RSPCA's wildlife centres have to treat and rehabilitate a wide range of wildlife - including seals - which have been injured or orphaned due to human disturbance. We want people to enjoy watching our marine wildlife - including seals, cetaceans and seabirds - but this should be done at a safe and sensible distance without disturbing the animals.

"High visibility patrols by the police, the RSPCA will again take place in areas where there are particular problems with disturbance of wildlife. I am delighted to see Marine Management Organisation joining in with this operation nationally. This will continue to raise awareness and educate people about how vital it is not to disturb our seabird and seal colonies as well as any visiting cetaceans."

Conservation Officer Mark Nowers, RSPB, said: "The response from the Essex Police Marine Unit and Rural Engagement Team to help our beach-nesting birds has been excellent.

"Knowing that officers, as part of their regular patrols, are talking to estuary-users around our most important sites for beach-nesting birds, either out on the water or at popular launch points, is a great help.

"We know the value of being outdoors is really important, we just want to ensure that people watch their step and respect any local signage so that these threatened species can breed successfully."

Living Seas Coordinator Rachel Langley, Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "The Essex coast is a wonderful place to live and visit - and is also vital for wildlife, such as beach-nesting birds, seals and cetaceans.

"Essex Wildlife Trust and the RSPB's Share Our Shores project works to protect Essex's beach-nesting birds such as the Little tern, Ringed plover and Oystercatcher, which are all sensitive to disturbance.

"Raising awareness on the coast is essential and the support from the Essex Marine Police Unit, Rural Engagement Team and other partners is an exciting step to reach even more people.

"By working together to keep our distance, respect signage and minimise disturbance, we can give these charismatic creatures the best chance!"