The Injured Deer Policy (IDP) has operated within the Mendip Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for several years. It was originally put into place to deal rapidly and humanely with deer injured by road traffic accidents or similar incidents on private land within the Mendip Hill AONB.

This policy is now being used by landowners and authorities outside the Mendip Hill AONB. It has been developed in close consultation with Avon and Somerset Police to meet a growing increase in road traffic incidents. No member of the team gains financially from the service they provide, it is free of charge. Team members are chosen carefully and their work is controlled by a code of safe working practice and risk assessment.