Bird crime continues in Cumbria with four killings in the past year, according to wildlife crime experts.

An RSPB report reveals that between 2012 and 2017 there were 19 confirmed bird of prey crimes in Cumbria, making it the joint sixth worst county in the UK for raptor persecution.

Evidence suggests these figures are just the tip of the iceberg with many killings going undetected or unreported, says the report released today.

The Birdcrime 2017 report lays the blame for the persecution of endangered birds of prey firmly at the door of grouse moors.

RSPB officials claim proposals to introduce licensing for shooting estates, which can include pheasant and partridge, could help tackle the illegal persecution of birds of prey.

Martin Harper, RSPB conservation director, said laws currently in place to protect birds of prey are clearly not being "respected or adequately enforced".

"Previous research has shown that illegal killing of birds of prey is associated with land managed for intensive driven grouse shooting, leaving vast areas of our uplands without typical breeding raptors," added Mr Harper.

The latest Birdcrime report reveals a minimum of 68 confirmed incidents of detected bird of prey persecution in 2017. They include 48 shooting, nine poisoning, three trapping, four nest destruction and four other illegal incidents of raptor persecution.

In Cumbria the four confirmed incidents included the shooting of a buzzard, two short-eared owls and a peregrine.

In the UK there were only four raptor persecution-related prosecutions in 2017, and only a single conviction.

Bob Elliot, RSPB head of investigations, said the persecution of birds of prey was a widespread problem in the UK, affecting some of the country's most loved and vulnerable species.

He added: "Every week the RSPB's investigations team get reports of yet another raptor being shot, trapped or poisoned. But for every report we receive, scientific studies suggest there are many more that go undetected and unreported.

"As such, these figures only scratch the surface of the true extent of raptor persecution in the UK."

Last month a project started in southern Scotland which could see the iconic golden eagle move back into England, and potentially Cumbria.

It is hoped that bringing chicks from the Highlands to establish in the Dumfries area could provide the best chance yet to bring the birds back to the Lake District.

England's last remaining golden eagle lived at Riggindale, near Haweswater, until it disappeared two years ago. It was never found and experts say is likely the ageing bird died of natural causes.