Hallswood animal sanctuary boss steps down amid police probe

The director of a rescue centre has stepped down amid an animal welfare investigation which has seen animals seized by police.

Officers and the RSPCA visited Hallswood Animal Sanctuary in Stratton Strawless, Norfolk, on Monday, with the seized animals examined by vets and some euthanised on welfare grounds.

Other animals were taken for ongoing assessment, police said, and no arrests have been made.

The sanctuary said it had appointed a new management team and director Lyz Hall - the widow of its founder - would step aside "and not be involved in our organisation in the future".

In a statement, it said police and the RSPCA had made multiple visits between 5 September and Tuesday amid concerns for animal welfare.

"Discussions have taken place, and we have now secured the way forward regarding the future of Hallswood Animal Sanctuary and the animals currently in our care," it said.

It added: "This matter remains an active police investigation, and we continue to cooperate fully with the authorities."

The not-for-profit organisation, based in woodland north-west of Norwich, was established by Keith Hall and his then wife Anne in 1996.

Mr Hall died in 2010 and Lyz Hall, his second wife following Anne's death, took over its ownership and management.

Hallswood said it had been "dedicated to improving the lives of wildlife and domestic animals" through rehabilitation, education and community outreach.

"Our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly rescuing, rehabilitating, releasing and rehoming thousands of animals each year, and we have provided a forever home at our sanctuary for thousands of animals that could not be released or rehomed," it added.

Norfolk Police said: "Officers were involved in an operation, assisted by the RSPCA, at Hallswood Animal Sanctuary in Stratton Strawless to seize a number of animals under Section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act.

"Wild animals were also found on site, such as squirrels - seizure of these animals is under the power of Section 26 of The Invasive Alien Species Order 2019.

"Police are investigating the circumstances around the matter."