In England and Wales, bats and their roosts are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004), and the Conservation Regulations 1994.
A roost is defined in the Wildlife and Countryside Act as "any place that a wild bat uses for shelter or protection", and the roost is protected whether bats are present in it or not.
The law states that it is a criminal offence for anyone (without the permission of English Nature), to intentionally kill, injure, handle or photograph a bat (except where flying outdoors). However anyone who finds a bat that is ill or injured may take care of it in whatever way is most humane and practical.
It's also illegal to keep a bat (although sick or injured bats may be kept until ready for release). If convicted, you could be fined up to £1000 per bat.
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