This report presents the results of five years of survey and research work on the polecat Mustela putorius in Britain. The main sections include a review of previous distribution surveys, the findings of a new distribution survey by The Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) from 1993-1997, the development of a method for monitoring polecats, a summary of the relationship between polecats and feral ferrets, and a description of recent studies on polecat ecology in Britain. The work reveals that the polecat's recolonisation of its former range is continuing, and the report makes recommendations for conservation action.