Organisers of and participants in a fundraising pleasure ride have criticised the behaviour of hunt saboteurs who were demonstrating during the event.

The Barlow’s “Challenge Smeekley” ride on 6 June was supposed to be a “really lovely experience”, master Joanne Riley told H&H — but it did not work out that way.

Joanne said the hunt has held a number of rides, in a Covid-safe manner, with optional jumps and no need for any riders to go on the road.

“I was the main organiser and I’d put signs out, on the 10km course, flagged the jumps, decided where the steward would be and made sure everything was safe,” she said. “But [one member of campaign group Derbyshire Against Blood Sports] was taking groups round and dropping them off at certain points. They had bike security chains, and they used them to lock gates.

“But these weren’t just private land, they were access to public bridleways. We had stewards at the gates but some were elderly and you can’t expect them to tackle a group of five to seven saboteurs.”

Joanne said she was called to one altercation, involving one such steward and a group of about six adult saboteurs, and two children.

“I asked the steward if he wanted to leave and he said they were trying to lock the gate,” she said. “He said I should call the police, they were yelling at him.”

Joanne managed to get the next group of riders through the gate; she said others had been locked by the sabs and the chains cut by stewards. Two groups of riders were sent the wrong way, ending up on roads, when they should not have had to do so. Directional signs had also been removed.

“That was bad enough as it compromises people’s safety,” she said. “But when the riders got on the roads, that’s when the sabs appeared, with their banners and things. What they’d done would mean people went on the lanes, so they marched down and held them up. The large banners frightened the horses — luckily some of the girls had cameras on them, and we were really lucky no one was injured.”

Rider Emily Moyle and a friend were among those on the ride, which they were unaware was organised by a hunt.

“We were about halfway through, going down a track, when Hope, Charlotte’s horse, stopped as she could see something,” Emily told H&H.

“My horse, Harlie, is a bit braver so he went past but then a group of people appeared out of nowhere. They were wearing balaclavas and had two big flags. They walked towards us and we asked them to put the flags down as they were scaring the horses, but they completely ignored us.

“As we got closer, we asked again and they started shouting at us, calling us vile scum and supporting foxhunting, and waving the flags in the horses’ faces. We were trying to tell them we were just out on a pleasure ride, to enjoy our horses, but they took no notice.”

Emily said Charlotte’s horse reared and spun away, and Harlie followed suit a moment later.

Emily explained that Harlie has polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) – a disease that can cause tying up. Harlie is well managed and under veterinary and a physio’s care, and cleared for the amount of work he does.

“He’s fine but he got so frightened because he thought they were trying to hit him in the face with their flags, he started tying up and his back legs went from under him,” she said.

“He went down on one side and scrambled back up. We were shouting at them ‘please stop, you’re going to hurt our horses, please let us past’, but they just didn’t.

“My horse kicks and it’s lucky he didn’t; I was trying to hold him back as they had kids with them.”

The riders had to let their horses turn back, and they met a steward who directed them back to where they had parked the trailer, where they discovered another group of sabs with flags.

“We’re so lucky there were no serious injuries,” said Emily. “What they were doing was likely to make the horses rear, and we could have come off. I understand most of them are well-meaning people who want to protest against hunting but some of them took it too far, and I wonder if they’re informed enough to know what they’re talking about, or know the different between hunting and a fun ride.

“This isn’t something we’re comfortable talking about as it’s so upsetting but people need to know.”

Joanne said the hunt is now “having a complete rethink”, adding: “But we won’t stop.

“Their big thing is that it was a peaceful protest, but it wasn’t. Locking gates so people get lost, frightening horses and being verbally abusive; that’s not peaceful. I saw them verbally abusing a 69- or 70-year-old man, who went white, my heart went out to him.

“And although the ride raises funds for the hunt, we also do things like maintaining the hunter trials course, which we use for lots of things; we do fallen stock collection, a real community service. They want things to be black and white and they’re not.

“They think their tactics will force us into a corner but that’s not going to happen; the fun rides will go on.”

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In response to H&H’s approach to Derbyshire Against Blood Sports for comment, Derby Hunt Saboteurs said: “We are aware of posts on social media that claim hunt saboteurs attacked a horse and rider who were on a pleasure ride. On 5 June, Challenge Smeekley, an event organised as fundraiser for the Barlow Hunt was held. Ever since published leaked documents have revealed the hunt are trying to disassociate from the event, it has attracted regular protest. On the same day some protestors walked part of the event’s route that was on public bridleways: something which they are legally allowed to do. Most of the day passed without incident.

“However, one rider shouted at the protestors, turned around and rode the opposite way. A red ribbon was observed tied to the tail of the horse, one protestor informed the others what this meant, and protestors stayed back before continuing their walk along the route. We are shocked to learn of the accusations. It was unfortunate that a rider was not prepared to share the bridleway with ‘antis’.”

In response to some of the other claims made, the group replied: “We strongly deny the false and malicious allegations.”

Derby Hunt Saboteurs said they had evidence that “proved [their] version of events” but added: “As there is an apparent police investigation video footage would best be served on the police rather than the media.”

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The director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association has been charged under the Hunting Act in relation to leaked webinars on trail-hunting. H&H finds out why leading industry figures believe he will be cleared, or the case dropped before it gets to court

Lord Mancroft, the chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), has said that the prosecution of MFHA director Mark Hankinson for encouraging or assisting illegal hunting “will fail because Mark has done nothing wrong.”

Mr Hankinson has been charged with one count under the Hunting Act 2004 after Hunting Office webinars were leaked to ITV news by anti-hunt protesters. 

This follows an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police into what was said by Hunting Office personnel during two trail-laying online webinars in August 2020.

Mr Hankinson, former master and huntsman of the Wilton, is due to appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 4 March.

A Hunting Office spokesman said: “The Hunting Office is very disappointed at the decision, and does not believe it is justified by the evidence. Hunts operate legally within the confines of the Hunting Act as has been evidenced by hundreds of thousands of days of legal hunting since it came into force. The notion that anybody is encouraging them to do otherwise is entirely unsustainable and we look forward to those who have been charged being cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Tim Bonner, CEO of the Countryside Alliance, said: “The Alliance works with the hunting associations to promote legal trail-hunting and exempt hunting under the Hunting Act. We have always been clear that however unjustified the legislation hunts must work within it. That remains the clear position of the hunting community and we are therefore confident that Mr Hankinson will be cleared in court.”

Lord Mancroft said the charge is part of a “political attack on us by the anti-hunting movement”.

He said: “We all need to be clear that this prosecution will fail because Mark has done nothing wrong, and that this is part of a political attack on us by the anti-hunting movement.

“It is clear that neither the police nor the Crown Prosecution Service could identify any substantive offences, that this charge has been cooked up and Mark is being used as a scapegoat, because they were unwilling to admit that we have done nothing wrong.

“The MFHA committee has quite rightly given its unqualified support to the director at what is a difficult time for him. He needs and deserves our full support, in exactly the same way that we support masters, huntsmen and others when they are the object of spurious allegations from anti-hunt activists. Everyone in our community must now rally round and give their support to Mark.

“As we know, the legal process is a long one, and the pandemic is causing even more delays, so this case is unlikely to come to court for some time. In the meantime, while there is no evidence beyond the webinars that can be used against Mark, our lawyers will be assembling further evidence and witnesses to support Mark’s case, which will be deployed to persuade the CPS either to drop their case, or to defeat it if it ever comes to court.”

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Different hunts have been targeted by the anti-hunting group behind a website hosted in Iceland, on which personal contact details have been published. H&H finds out more, from those involved and affected

By Abigail Butcher

HUNTS are standing defiant following a spate of data breaches involving three different packs over the course of this month.

Last week, personal details including names, addresses and contact details of supporters and members of the New Forest Hounds and Cottesmore Hunt were published on a website run by an anti-hunting group. It follows the release of similar data from the Mendip Farmers’.

Police in Hampshire are investigating and have written to those identified as part of the leak advising them to review “online and home security” by changing passwords, reviewing privacy settings on all online accounts and so securing their digital footprint.

Hampshire Police has also recommended supporters “consider home security options including any outbuildings, kennels and/or stables”.

A spokesman for the New Forest Hounds said: “A hacking event has occurred. We have reported it to the relevant organisations. The police are actively investigating so we cannot comment further at present.”

The Cottesmore has reported the matter to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, which told H&H the incident is “currently being assessed by the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.”

A spokesman for the Cottesmore said: “We hope those responsible will be punished appropriately as a result of this data breach, which highlights the purely vindictive nature of those behind this crime.”

One supporter whose details have been published said he is “concerned but not worried”.

“Anti-hunting groups have photographs of me going back to the 1980s, so I’m sure they have much more information on me than I know they have got, but I do wonder why they have this because I’m participating in a legal activity,” he said.

“They don’t have my consent to hold any of this information and I think it’s time these organisations were brought to account.”

The group behind the leaks is posting documents on a website hosted in Iceland, which has laws protecting freedom of speech.

Activist Jay Tiernan has previously acted as a spokesman for the group. He was found guilty of contempt of court in 2015 for harassing farmers during badger culls in breach of an injunction.

But new spokesman Ernie Goldman last week described his group’s publishing of information as a “tit-for-tat GDPR conflict”, seeking the removal of a central database on anti-hunt activists that he believes the Countryside Alliance and Hunting Office hold.

Mr Goldman said a prolonged campaign is planned, saying: “Some information is coming from within the hunting community, some from groups within the anti-hunting community and some we have no idea where it’s come from. [In other cases] we found everything we need online.”

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance (CA) said it retains video evidence of incidents of animal rights extremism and records of social media posts, which could be used as evidence in criminal investigations.

“Legal advice suggests this is entirely compliant with GDPR,” he added.

‘Causing upset’

CA chief executive Tim Bonner is robust in refuting claims that the information held contravenes GDPR, and that some of the information being published by activists came from within the hunting community.

He told H&H: “All this information [being posted by the anti-hunting group] has been accessed through illegal hacking activity targeting personal email accounts, and the claim that they’re being given access to this data [by individuals] within the hunting community is just another intent to cause upset and distress within hunts.

“What they’ve published is of no public interest to anyone – it’s harassment and intimidation.”

Mr Bonner said cybercrime is being used across all sectors of society, and cited a previous data hack of a National Farmers Union database around the time of the badger cull.

Both the CA and the Hunting Office have issued advice to packs and supporters across the country on how to tighten online security, but Mr Bonner said: “The simplest and most effective way to deal with this is to regularly change passwords.”

He added: “This is a significant and law-abiding part of the rural community and these attacks are completely unacceptable, but will not have any effect on the future of trail-hunting or other rural activities. People are determined they will carry on.”

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Although aggravated trespass is a criminal offence, the Countryside Alliance says ‘very few’ prosecutions are being brought against animal rights extremists ‘despite clear evidence’ being available, so what is the next step to offer greater protection to hunts and land owners?

Enforcing the law on aggravated trespass could help combat “intimidatory and disruptive” hunt saboteurs, it is hoped.

The Countryside Alliance is using the current debate on trespassing in relation to travellers — the Conservatives said in their election manifesto they would make intentional trespass a criminal offence in this situation — to challenge current law.

 Aggravated trespass — trespassing on land with the intention of disrupting or obstructing a lawful activity, or of intimidating someone involved in such an activity — is an offence.

“There can only be two reasons animal rights activists are not being prosecuted; either the law is not being enforced, or it is not fit for purpose,” said Alliance CEO Tim Bonner. “Whatever the reason, it needs to be addressed, and addressed rapidly.

“There is increasing concern in the countryside about the behaviour of extremists intent on interfering with farming activity, sabotaging shoots and game farms and, of course, attacking hunts. In all these cases, activists trespass, seemingly with impunity, and commit the offence — aggravated trespass — which was created to tackle exactly such behaviour.”

Mr Bonner said while the law seems to cover the behaviour of saboteurs, “very few” prosecutions are brought against animal rights extremists “despite clear evidence”.

He added that while criminalising any form of trespass would not be realistic or reasonable, the Alliance will press ministers and police on why the law on aggravated trespass is not working.

“It is simply not good enough for the police to stand back while activists invade farms and disrupt lawful rural activities,” he said.

Peter Saunt, a foot-follower with the Atherstone, told H&H saboteurs’ trespassing is a major issue.

“They’re always crossing land, trying to provoke you, cameras in your face,” he said.

“If you come to a gate, they’ll climb it, rather than open it, knowing it could damage it.

“We managed to stop them coming over a gate once and they went straight through the hedge and across a planted field. They show no regard.

“They can be intimidating and I think it would make a big difference if they knew they could be arrested for it.”

Alliance head of hunting Polly Portwin told H&H aggravated trespass is a law that should be enforceable.

“Yet there have been countless occasions this season alone where hunt supporters have felt threatened by those trespassing with the intention of disrupting or obstructing legal trail hunting activities,” she said.

“If the law, as it stands, is not working or protecting victims of aggravated trespass, the government needs to review the law as soon as possible to ensure that it is enforceable.”

Lee Moon of the Hunt Saboteurs’ Association told H&H he believes sabs are not committing aggravated trespass as “hunts are acting unlawfully”.

“They’re breaking the Hunting Act and we’re intervening to stop them so they’re not, as far as we’re concerned,” he said, adding that the association is “happy to admit to trespass” but that he would “fully expect sabs to treat the land respectfully”.

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A hunt chairman who was found not guilty of attacking two saboteurs has said he will now be making a complaint against the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Immigration judge Mark Davies was involved in an altercation with sabs at a meet of the Barlow on New Year’s Day 2019, but was the only one who found himself in court despite having photographic evidence of the bloodied nose and lip he sustained.

The 67-year-old was cleared this week of assaulting Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs members Austin Jordan and William Robinson in a field on private land at Highlightley Farm in Barlow, Derbyshire.

Ruling on the case at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court, Judge Davison said that the circumstances had indicated aggravated trespass on the part of the saboteurs who were disrupting a legal activity. He also accepted that Mr Davies had acted in self-defence.

Mr Davies’s solicitor Stephen Welford told H&H that the decision to prosecute his client was one of the most surprising he had come across in 20 years of practice.

“In my view it was unreasonable and irrational in the light of the totality of the evidence the prosecution had,” he said.

The day after the trial, Mr Davies said he hoped the case had “shown these people [the saboteurs] for what they are”.

“They are anarchists with no interest in animal welfare at all, it’s a class war,” he said.

He described how the protestors had plagued almost every meet of the Barlow, of which his wife Joan Williams — a former superintendent at South Yorkshire Police — is a joint master.

“While the landowners are very supportive, these people just trespass and don’t get off when they are told. They think they have the legal right to go where they want because they claim we are committing offences,” he said.

“I am a person of good character and I have never used violence against anyone in my life. My wife spent 30 years in the police and is well used to these situations but their behaviour has caused a lot of anxiety.”

Mr Davies and his wife, whose arm was in a sling, were observing the hunt on New Year’s Day when they were approached by the sabs wearing combat clothing and masks.

In court, he told how he had “felt intimidated” by the group and stepped towards them with his arms out to prevent them trespassing further. He said that the next thing he recollected was being struck in the face by someone he later found out to be Mr Jordan.

After he found himself “surrounded” by the antis, he jumped to his feet and took Mr Jordan down in a “rugby tackle” to avoid being assaulted again.

Mr Davies made a complaint of assault but it was not taken further by Derbyshire Constabulary. Yet after they were called in for interview in February, sabs Mr Jordan and Mr Robinson alleged it was they who had been attacked.

Mr Davies told H&H he believes his position had made him a target for prosecution.

“As a judge I am very vulnerable — it’s newsworthy if a judge allegedly assaults someone as judges don’t behave like that,” he said.

“Derbyshire Constabulary and the CPS should hang their heads in shame the way they have behaved in this matter. I will be making another formal complaint to the chief constable and crime commissioner and a formal complaint to the director of public prosecutions who oversees CPS East Midlands.”

Mr Davies, who has been the target of abuse online, added that social media sites also needed to “bear up to their responsibilities” and stop “aiding and abetting” the victimisation of individuals.

Mr Welford has taken on many cases for hunts in the past decade and said there has been a recent increase in the number of prosecutions.

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Rather than breaches of the Hunting Act, the cases were typically complaints of assault made by saboteurs.

“There is a marked increased in attention from hunt saboteurs who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in ways of interfering and sabbing, as well as their widespread use of video equipment, they are also very good at provoking a reaction from members of the hunt,” he said.

“Of the 30 or so police stations I am called to each year, I would say 90% of the complaints are violence alleged by hunt sabs. They are convinced the hunts aren’t trail hunting and are adamant they are allowed to go wherever they like to spot illegal hunting but they are not.

“Many times you find cases where a person of good character has asked a trespasser to leave — and they are legally allowed to use reasonable force — and the situation has ended up out of hand.

“Hunts can’t just keep their heads down any more,” he added. “Sabs make a lot of allegations but there are rarely any from the hunt supporters.”

In a statement, Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs described the verdict of Mr Davies case as “disappointing” and claimed the case was originally taken to the police by the hunt as “a spurious complaint against a sab”.

A spokesman for Derbyshire Constabulary said the force had not yet received a complaint from Mr Davies, but if it did, it “would consider it”.

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Police will find it easier to unmask violent hunt saboteurs from now on thanks to new legislation.

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 was given royal assent to become law on 31 January and came into force yesterday (3 April).

The Act will make it simpler for officers to require violent protestors to remove facial coverings.

It enables police officers to require masked protestors to remove their disguises without first needing written permission from a senior officer. This makes the law simpler and less bureaucratic to use.

“There are only two reasons for wearing masks and face-coverings in the context of a protest: to intimidate and harass, and to hide identity with the intention of committing criminal offences and avoiding prosecution,” said Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner.

“This is a tactic that has worked, not only by creating alarm and distress in rural communities visited by groups of extremists who have adopted the uniform of the paramilitary complete with standard black face coverings, but also in allowing offences to be committed without any legal consequences.

“From Wiltshire to Derbyshire; from Gloucestershire to Yorkshire there have been a series of violent assaults by hunt saboteurs in the last few years, none of which have seen anyone brought to justice.

“It doesn’t matter if violence and intimidation are happening in urban areas or the countryside, it is wrong and it is only right that police officers are in the position to be able to tackle effectively potentially criminal behaviour wherever it arises.

“We are therefore delighted that the government has recognised the need to amend the law, recognising that the police need greater flexibility faced with modern types of protests.

“The amendment does not extend police powers, but makes it more practical to use existing powers and we now expect the police to make full use of them.

“For too long a small minority have hidden behind masks and disguises to intimidate people and to escape being held account for unlawful behaviour. This change in the law will discourage unlawful activity, while allowing lawful and peaceful protest.”

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The new ruling became part of the Act after it was introduced as an amendment during the Lords’ debate on the bill in December (news, 15 December).

Brandon Lewis MP, minister of state for policing, wrote to all police constables to make them aware of the change last month.

Freedom of Information Act requests by the Countryside Alliance published last year revealed the powers in place prior to the new Act had only been used once on animal rights activists at a hunt.

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Police powers to unmask violent hunt saboteurs have been used just once in the past three years, according to research by the Countryside Alliance (CA).

The organisation sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all police forces in England and Wales.

It asked how many authorisations under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act — which requires suspects of law breaking to remove disguises — were granted in each of the past three years.

Only 11 out of the 43 police forces were able to confirm they had used these powers in the last three years.

Out of these, only one force —Derbyshire Police — used the powers to police a hunt meeting where protesters wearing face coverings and balaclavas were present.

“In the past three years there have been a number of cases where hunt staff and supporters have been viciously attacked by animal rights activists wearing balaclavas, but no-one has ever been brought to justice for these crimes,” said the CA’s chief executive, Tim Bonner.

“Extremists know that wearing face coverings masks their identities and makes prosecution unlikely, and also that it intimidates those who they are protesting against.”

MPs are now pushing for the law to be made simpler to use.

An amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill, which is currently going through parliament, would make it easier for any police constable to require those they suspect of unlawful behaviour to remove items “concealing his identity”.

It has been tabled by Sir Edward Garnier, Tory MP for Hardborough, Oadby and Wigston.

“Individual police officers on the ground must have the authority to order the removal of face coverings exactly as they have the power of arrest,” added Mr Bonner.

“The government has an opportunity to address this anomaly in the Policing and Crime Bill and we hope that it addresses this blight on so many rural communities.”

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A family in Scotland has been fined after being found guilty of acting in a threatening or abusive way towards members of a hunt.

Colin and Beverly Milne and their daughter Amy Lilburn were found guilty after a week-long trial at Perth Sheriff Court that finished on Wednesday (27 January).

The family, from Toutie Street, Blairgowrie, showed video footage of the hunt, which was taking place on the Snaigow Estate, on 13 March 2015, to the police.

However, they were detained themselves for their behaviour.

The family had snoods pulled up and hats pulled down, covering their faces.

The family appeared in court last year (16 March), alleged to have followed and filmed people with the intention of disrupting a hunt. They were found guilty.

During last week’s sentencing Sheriff William Wood said that they had gone “overboard” and were “reckless”.

He added that any person would “suffer fear or alarm” and feel “threatened” by their conduct.

The saboteurs followed the hunt for between 10 and 12 miles.

Mr and Mrs Milne were fined £200 each, while Lilburn was admonished.

“We are pleased that the threatening behaviour of these sabs was recognised by the Scottish court,” a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance told H&H.

“We understand that not everyone agrees with hunting and they are entitled to their views, however there is no excuse for people to mask up and act in an intimidating manner, as this family did.

“It is ironic that they brought this conviction on themselves, rather than their behaviour having been reported to the police by the hunt.

“We urge hunts to video all incidents of violence and aggression. This sort of harassment would not be tolerated in any other sphere.”

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A huntsman from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale is facing charges after allegedly running down a hunt saboteur with his horse.

Mark Doggrell, 45, was filmed knocking the woman to the ground with his horse at a meet near Charlton Horethorne, Somerset, in August 2014.

The footage shows the saboteur, known as Nid, colliding with the horse as she stood by a gate.

She was airlifted to hospital, reportedly suffering broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

Mr Doggrell was originally arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He was questioned but told by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that he would not be prosecuted.

However the woman, a member of the Dorset Hunt Saboteurs, challenged the decision and started a petition, which gained 12,700 signatures.

In February a statement from the CPS said: “Having carefully reviewed all the evidence gathered in an investigation by Avon and Somerset police, the CPS reviewing lawyer decided there was insufficient evidence that the incident could have been foreseen and therefore could not authorise charge.

“The case was considered incredibly carefully and included consideration of a reconstruction exercise by expert mounted officers from the Avon and Somerset police.”

The decision was reviewed by the CPS under the victims’ right to review scheme

Mr Doggrell is now facing charged of “recklessly causing grievous bodily harm”.

He is to appear before magistrates, but a date has not yet been set.

“After careful consideration of all the evidence in this case, including additional new evidence, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to charge Mark Doggrell with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm,” said Rachael Scott of the CPS.

A spokesman for the hunt told H&H: “We are naturally disappointed that the initial conclusion has been overturned but that we will all abide by the legal process and the rule of law and hope he will be acquitted.”

Tim Bonner, director of campaigns at the Countryside Alliance added: “It was a very unfortunate incident, but the police and CPS had decided to bring no charges against Mr Doggrell. This change of stance is of concern to us as it suggests that prosecutions are made on the basis of who shouts the loudest rather than sound legal reasons.”

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An investigation into an attack on Tedworth joint master and huntsman Mike Lane has been dropped by the police.

Mr Lane was left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth on 24 January.

He claims he was kicked in the head by saboteurs when hounds were boxing up at the end of the day in Wiltshire.

There were reportedly around six hunt saboteurs present at the time of the incident.

Anti-hunt protestors wearing balaclavas and face masks, in two vehicles that have been reported to be associated with Bristol and Southampton hunt saboteur groups, had been present all day.

During the incident, where hunt supporters requested the saboteurs leave the property because hounds were going home, Mr Lane slipped over and was kicked while laying on the ground.

He was knocked unconscious and an ambulance was called. He was treated at a local hospital.

“It is a great disappointment to us and to Mike that Wiltshire Police have not been able to bring his attackers to book yet. We urge anyone who has information about those responsible to come forward,” Tim Bonner, director of campaigns for the Countryside Alliance (CA), told H&H.

“The fact that the law on face coverings is so unwieldy is an incitement to violence. These anti-hunting thugs are carrying out attacks with impunity knowing they can hide behind their balaclavas and will not be brought to book.

“There have been at least three vicious attacks in recent years where those responsible could not be identified. The police need to look very closely at this issue and we believe their needs to be a change in the law to allow police officers to unmask these violent criminals.”

Earlier this year the CA urged hunts to remain “calm and vigilant” and to write to their local police, crime commissioners and MPs about masked animal rights activists.

The police do have powers to order the removal of face coverings, but they are not straightforward.

“Because the process is complicated, we believe police forces should be prepared to deploy these powers when animal rights extremists appear in their areas,” added Mr Bonner.

“Where police forces are prepared to use these powers, we believe that the likelihood of intimidation and public disorder is reduced.”

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An e-campaign by the Countryside Alliance (CA) to highlight the issue of masked animal rights activists has resulted in more than 8,000 people writing to their local police crime commissioners (PCC).

The two-week drive came after several incidents — including one violent — with anti-hunting campaigners.

Last month (24 January) joint-master and huntsman Mike Lane was left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth.

The CA has thanked the people that took part and sent letters to their PCC.

“Their support has made this a very successful campaign and shows the strength of feeling the countryside has about saboteur violence,” said the CA’s Tim Bonner.

The CA has had 20 responses from PCCs across the country as a result of the letters.

Anthony Stansfeld, PCC for Thames Valley Police, said he was concerned by any “intimidation in the countryside”.

“I agree that the wearing of balaclavas and facemasks, allied with paramilitary style clothing, is clearly intended to intimidate as well as hide the identity of violent protestors,” he added.

Martin Surl, PCC for Gloucestershire said: “I have concerns about the wearing of balaclavas and facemasks in the countryside and have already made public my support for a change in the law.”

However, some of the PCC’s responses have been less positive. More than 700 people from Sussex wrote to their PCC, but the written reply did not touch on the issue.

“The response from the PCCs has been mixed, with some taking the issue very seriously and others seemingly not interested,” Mr Bonner added.

“We shall be following up the issue with the police forces involved and it is clear that we need to work with them and the next government to ensure the legislation surrounding face coverings is fit for purpose.”

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Hunts are being urged to remain calm but vigilant after several incidents — including one violent — with anti-hunting campaigners.

Last month (24 January) joint-master and huntsman Mike Lane was left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth.

Mr Lane claims he was kicked in the head by saboteurs when hounds were boxing up at the end of the day near Everleigh in Wiltshire.

Anti-hunt protestors from Bristol wearing balaclavas and face masks, and Southampton hunt saboteur groups, had been present all day.

“We were legally trail-hunting and the saboteurs had been following us all day,” a hunt spokesman said.

“At the end of the day, there was an incident in which our huntsman fell to the ground and was kicked in the head.

“There was a definite feeling of an increased level of hostility towards us, and the behaviour was more threatening than usual.”

The Countryside Alliance (CA) is urging hunts to write to their local police, crime commissioners and MPs about masked animal rights activists.

“There have been a number of attacks carried out by hunt saboteurs wearing combat style clothing with their faces covered by balaclavas or masks. Most perpetrators are never identified,” said Tim Bonner of the CA.

“The police do have powers to order the removal of face coverings, but they are not straightforward.

“Because the process is complicated, we believe police forces should be prepared to deploy these powers when animal rights extremists appear in their areas,” said Mr Bonner.

“Where police forces are prepared to use these powers, we believe that the likelihood of intimidation and public disorder is reduced.”

Visit: http://action.countryside-alliance.org.uk/

Ref: H&H 11 February, 2015

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A huntsman has been left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth Hunt on Saturday (24 January).

Joint-master and huntsman Mike Lane (not pictured), who suffered severe concussion, claims he was kicked in the head by saboteurs when hounds were boxing up at the end of the day near Everley in Wiltshire.

There were reportedly around six hunt saboteurs present at the time of the incident. Anti-hunt protestors wearing balaclavas and face masks, in two vehicles that have been reported to be associated with Bristol and Southampton hunt saboteur groups, had been present all day. One saboteur allegedly spat at Mr Lane and it is reported that they had attempted to pull him from his horse earlier in the day when the huntsman requested that the saboteurs refrained from spraying the hounds with an unknown liquid substance.

During the incident, where hunt supporters requested the saboteurs leave the property because hounds were going home, Mr Lane slipped over and was kicked while laying on the ground. He was knocked unconscious and an ambulance was called. He was treated at a local hospital.

“We were legally trail-hunting and the saboteurs had been following us all day,” a hunt spokesman said.

“At the end of the day, there was an incident where our huntsman fell to the ground and was kicked in the head and as a result he is suffering from concussion and will be unable to hunt hounds this week.

“We believe they were carrying metal bars attached to ropes and chains.”

A passing member of the public with no connection to the hunt is understood to have recorded the incident on a mobile phone camera and a police investigation is ongoing.

The hunt regularly experiences attention from anti-hunt protestors, however, the spokesman for the hunt added: “There was a definite feeling of an increased level of hostility towards us and the behaviour was more threatening than usual. We hope the police will be able to find those responsible for this injury.”

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A member of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt has been released on bail after an incident in which a hunt saboteur was hospitalised following a collision with a horse.

He was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, but was later released pending further police enquiries.

The female protester, known only as “Nid”, was treated at the scene following the meet near Charlton Horethorne, Somerset, on Thursday 28 August.

It was later reported on the Dorset Hunt Saboteur Facebook page — of which the female saboteur is a member — that she had sustained a number of broken ribs and a suspected punctured lung.

“This was an unfortunate accident and we were of course concerned to learn of these injuries but are relieved to hear the person involved is making a recovery,” a hunt spokesperson told H&H.

“The hunt is giving every assistance to the police to ensure this will quickly be resolved.”

Avon and Somerset police are investigating.

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An anti-hunting activist has been charged with aggravated trespass, assault and harassment of a North Wales hunt employee.

The charges relate to an incident on 28 January and footage that Chester-based Judi Hewitt took and posted online of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt’s countryman Rob Smith using a terrier to flush a fox from underground to a waiting gun, in accordance with the Hunting Act. No date has yet been set for the court case and Ms Hewitt has not entered a plea.

Joint-master of the Flint and Denbigh hunt Jeremy Reed said: “Rob was keeping to the letter of the law and had the full permission of the landowner. We understand that people do oppose fox management but we believe Ms Hewitt went too far.”

Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance added: “It is important that hunts realise that they can take action over harassment from activists. If hunts help themselves by collecting evidence and are willing to make a statement we can support their complaints.”

This story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (31 July, 2014)

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Police forces have been reminded of their powers to make antis remove masks, following concern that violent hunt saboteurs are wearing balaclavas to avoid being identified.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Adams of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has written to forces asking they review their current policies.

It comes after Countryside Alliance chairman Sir Barney White-Spunner wrote to ACPO in April, following a violent attack on a Badsworth and Bramham Moor supporter.

Charles Warde-Aldam was badly beaten by a group of around 10 masked people in front of his 12-year-old daughter in October 2012. Arrests were made, but no charges could be brought because Mr Warde-Aldam was unable to identify his attackers.

Police do have powers to make people remove facial coverings, but these are not always used.

Sir Barney said: “We are delighted that ACPO supports our campaign to encourage the police to use these powers.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (7 November 2013)

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Master and huntsman of the Ross Harriers, Lee Peters, has won an appeal against a conviction of racial abuse and threatening behaviour.

Mr Peters appeared at Worcester Crown Court last week (30-31 July).

“The evidence was very, very weak,” Adrian Peters of the Countryside Alliance told H&H.

“Lee consistently denied the offences and felt he was unjustifiably convicted. The appeal was scheduled for 5 days but only took 2.”

Mr Peters appeared before Hereford Magistrates Court in November 2012 and was found guilty of racially aggravated harassment and using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour to hunt monitors Hiba Hussan and Robert Constable.

The incident was reported to have occurred on 7 January 2012 at a meet in Aston Crews, Ross-on-Wye.

He was fined £720, ordered to pay £2,000 court costs and £200 compensation.

“I’d always pleaded not guilty,” said Mr Peters, who is in his fourth season with the Ross Harriers. “I’m so pleased it’s all over, it’s been 18months.”

The CA’s Tim Bonner added: “Thankfully, he has been vindicated. Those opposed to hunting will go to great lengths to undermine and discredit our hard-working community.”

This is the 2nd time Mr Peters has had charges dismissed in a hunting legal case. In 2005, when he was master and huntsman of the Camarthen, he appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court, charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act. But it was dismissed due to was lack of evidence.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (8 August 2013)

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A police wildlife officer responsible for monitoring hunting in North Yorkshire has been forced to adapt her job remit after it emerged she had followed hounds.

North Yorkshire Police received a complaint about a conflict of interest from the Hunt Saboteurs Association — after the group discovered that PC Sarah Ward had hunted with the Badsworth and Bramham Moor.

PC Ward will now no longer deal with complaints about hunting, despite a senior officer having found that she had dealt with a hunting-related case correctly.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Following a complaint regarding a conflict of interests by one of the force’s wildlife officers, the force took the decision to change the officer’s responsibilities.

“Although they remain in post as the district’s wildlife officer, they no longer deal with any complaints relating to organised hunts.”

The Countryside Alliance said the actions of the police force were nonsensical.

“It seems crazy that a person could be removed from a certain job because they had too much knowledge of the subject,” said campaigns director Tim Bonner.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (20 June 2013)

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Police are being urged to enforce laws stripping protestors of balaclavas, in a bid to help protect hunt followers.

Countryside Alliance chairman Sir Barney White-Spunner has written to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), following serious assaults at a Badsworth and Bramham Moor meet and the High Peak kennels.

“We at the Countryside Alliance are increasingly concerned about attacks on hunt supporters and staff by people wearing balaclavas and face coverings to avoid detection,” said Sir Barney in his letter to ACPO president, Sir Hugh Orde.

“We ask you please to write to police forces across the country, reminding officers of their powers under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 [the power to remove disguises].”

In October last year, Badsworth and Bramham Moor hunt supporter and landowner Charles Warde-Aldam was repeatedly hit on the head with a heavy torch.

Although the assault was filmed, his attackers were wearing masks and therefore could not be identified.

In a similar attack, two masked assailants clubbed and kicked High Peak huntsman Nigel Cox at his kennels in December.

No one has been charged over either incident.

There is currently a discrepancy in different parts of the country as to how the police enforce Section 60AA. Crawley and Horsham senior master Antony Sandeman told H&H he believes Sussex is “a soft target”, drawing sabs in balaclavas from many areas because they know the police will not challenge them.

“Surrey Police [the neighbouring force] do enforce Section 60, but Sussex won’t unless there’s a direct threat of violence,” said Mr Sandeman.

“I hope this letter will do some good, but I feel like we’re banging our heads against a brick wall. It’s all down to the chief constable, and if he doesn’t want to enforce it we’ve got no chance.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (9 May 2013)

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A teenage girl’s complaints about harassment by masked “hunt monitors” have caused a storm of vitriol on a local newspaper website.

Kitty Gibson, 18, who has hunted with the Crawley and Horsham for seven seasons, wrote a piece detailing intimidation by antis towards children and adults for the Horsham District Post.

She described the meet on 5 January, when 30 masked saboteurs were aggressive and disruptive throughout the day. They blocked a jump the field was trying to negotiate.

“If a masked gang carrying sticks, blowing horns and shouting abuse was to rampage through Horsham town centre, there would be outrage,” Kitty pointed out.

“When the same thing happens in a field near Shipley, why then is it seemingly tolerated and ignored?”

But her piece, which was published in the paper and online, prompted outraged comments from antis on the paper’s website and angry replies in support of Kitty.

Matthew Wheeler, of The Post, told H&H: “We received an unprecedented and unmanageable level of comments online, which became increasingly offensive.

“We cannot allow our site to become a forum on which various parties write hateful comments or express their dislike for one another.”

A number of violent attacks have recently been made upon hunts in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire (news, 17 January).

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (31 January, 2013)

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Hunts are being asked to report all incidents with antis and saboteurs following attacks by masked men in north Derbyshire and South Yorks — one of which is being treated as grievous bodily harm.

Badsworth and Bramham Moor supporter Charlie Warde-Aldam and High Peak huntsman Nigel Cox were seriously assaulted by suspected saboteurs in separate attacks.

The

[[ strong.ecclesfield beagles ]] had to abandon a day’s hunting on

15 December after masked men attempted to follow them to the meet.

On the same day three vehicles had their tyres slashed at the Barlow kennels.

The picture (above, right) is a library picture and does not show the people involved in these assaults.

“The sabs have a different remit this season,” said Badsworth and Bramham Moor joint-master Vanessa Fleming.

“They seem to be a lot more violent and hugely confrontational.”

Nigel Cox, 59, needed stitches to his head and knee after he was clubbed four times around the head with a Maglite torch and kicked while he was on the floor by two attackers at the hunt kennels on 8 December.

He told H&H: “I really worry when my wife goes to do the horses and half expect to find someone waiting every time I go outside.”

A vehicle involved in this attack was also seen when Mr Warde-Aldam was assaulted during a newcomers’ meet at his home, Frickley Park, near Doncaster, on 27 October.

Mr Warde-Aldam and his 12-year-old daughter Connie were surrounded by 10 masked people and he was repeatedly hit on the head with a heavy torch and punched.

He suffered a broken nose and cheekbone, three fractures to his skull and has lost 90% of hearing in his right ear.

“The attack was carried out in complete silence — it was no chance encounter. They were waiting for us,” said Mr Warde-Aldam.

Eight people have been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident, which is being treated as GBH.

Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance said: “The police have powers to ask people to remove masks and we have asked them to use them at hunt meets.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (17 January 2013)

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Hunt saboteurs descended to a new low in Co Durham last week, putting up a sign falsely claiming the South Durham’s stables has strangles.

Joint-master and huntsman Garry Watchman found a notice declaring “Strangles – no entry” outside his yard in Stockton-on-Tees at lunchtime on Wednesday (19 September).

He believes the sign had been in situ for a couple of hours before he noticed it.

“I moved it sharpish, but there were a fair few texts and emails flying around, asking if we would be autumn hunting that evening,” said Mr Watchman.

He said the hunt have been plagued by antis for the past five years.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (27 September 2012)

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Video surveillance of hunts by “hunt monitors” breaks human rights legislation, a judged has ruled.

The judge was presiding over a pre-trial review last month in a case that cannot yet be reported.

He ruled that the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), which allows police and local authorities to use undercover filming, also applies to anti-hunting groups.

Lawyer Jamie Foster, who is involved in the case, said this means antis must apply to the police for permission for any covert filming.

He said: “It had been assumed that the act only applied to councils or the police, but the judge ruled that covert filming by the League Against Cruel Sports [LACS] or International Fund for Animal Welfare must be licensed or it breaks article eight of the Human Rights Act — the right to privacy.”

He added that for permission to be granted the groups would have to prove filming was “necessary and proportionate”.

Tony Wright of the Exmoor hunt was the first huntsman in the country to be convicted under the Hunting Act. He was later acquitted.

He told H&H it was “about time” monitors were made to follow the rules.

He said: “I asked the police at the time what their view would be if I decided to follow one of their officers around all day filming what they were doing [like the antis did me]. They said they would take a very dim view of that.”

Countryside Alliance spokesman Tim Bonner told H&H: “We have written to chief constables across the UK raising this issue. They cannot continue to use illegal video evidence in prosecutions under the Hunting Act.

“This is very bad news for IFAW and LACS — they claim the Hunting Act works and they can uphold it with covert surveillance, but this ruling takes away the final part of their anti-hunting strategy.”

LACS spokesman Louise Robertson said: “It is our clear understanding, based on legal advice, that the activities of hunt observers such as those working for the League are not covered by RIPA as only public bodies are in fact covered by the act.

“If this were the case it would apply to initiatives like Neighbourhood Watch and effectively end the public assisting police in crime prevention.”

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has asked for guidance on the subject from the Crown Prosecution Service.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (7 January, 10)

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A master of foxhounds from Durham is to launch a complaint against police after being found not guilty of assaulting two saboteurs.

South Durham joint-master Gary Watchman has accused police of victimisation after spending nearly a year fighting to clear his name over an incident about which saboteurs lied.

“I can’t sit back — I have to make a stand,” said Mr Watchman, who was arrested in March 2009 after voluntarily attending Spennymore police station in connection with an incident on 28 February.

On 14 December, Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court found Mr Watchman not guilty after saboteurs Lynne Edwards and Hazel Greaves admitted lying that he had threatened them with a knife.

Hoping to film the hunt acting illegally, the women had dressed in camouflage and hidden in bushes on the Castle Eden walkway in Durham on 28 February. On that day, H&H was out reporting on the hunt.

The court heard how Mr Watchman asked the saboteurs to leave what he believed to be private land. When they refused, Edwards and Greaves said Mr Watchmen whipped them with his hunting whip, shoulder barged them to the floor and tried to take their bags and camcorders. They captured the whole incident on tape.

Mr Watchman’s solicitor Stephen Welford said: “This video was played to the court, and Edwards could be heard on tape to shout ‘put that knife away, you bastard’ towards Watchman, when he could clearly be seen on film without such a weapon.

• For more on this story, see this week’s issue of Horse & Hound (31 December).

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More than half of the Horse & Hound website users who took part in last week’s H&H online vote (52%) said they would be boycotting Lush over its decision to raise money for the Hunt Saboteurs Association (news, 15 October).

And another 36% said they never bought from Lush anyway.

Nearly 2,000 people participated in the online vote and only 9% of those said they would definitely still buy at Lush. The other 3% had no particular view (see page 8).

High street cosmetics store Lush launched a new product on 19 October, the Fabulous Mrs Fox bubble bar (pictured), which will be on sale until Boxing Day with all profits going to the anti-hunt group.

Lush is also distributing anti-hunt leaflets in store.

View the results of the online poll.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (29 October, ’09)

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The Countryside Alliance (CA) has urged hunt supporters to keep protests against high street cosmetics chain Lush within the law.

Members of the public are reported to have knocked over displays and vandalised stores across the country since Lush launched its Fabulous Mrs Fox bubble bar last week.

Lush hopes sales of the soap in the run up to Boxing Day will raise £50,000 for the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA).

CA spokesman Jill Grieve said: ”With repeal of the Hunting Act increasingly likely, it is vital that everyone who supports hunting helps to protect and enhance hunting’s reputation, not discredit it. Legitimate channels of complaint remain the only way to proceed.”

The bubble bar will be sold in Lush stores until Boxing Day, and customers are being asked to complete a postcard asking their local police force to enforce the Hunting Act.

A Horseandhound.co.uk forum member added her own poster to a billboard outside the Taunton store, so the sign read “Keep Hunting — For Fox Sake”.

Others have been swapping anti-hunting leaflets in store with those supporting hunting.

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Horse & Hound is urging hunt supporters everywhere to boycott high street toiletries chain Lush after it announced a £50,000 fund-raising campaign to support the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA).

At the height of anti-hunt protests in the 1980s and 90s this paramilitary wing of the hunt protestors was the scourge of hunts around the country, clad in ski-masks and targeting even the youngest supporters.

Lush launched a Fabulous Mrs Fox bubble bar on Monday to raise money for the group, causing a wave of anger from hunt supporters.

The bar features a “blood-red fox pawprint” design and contains citronella, a scent chosen because “hunt sabs use it to disguise foxes’ scent and send hounds off the trail”, according to Lush.

Jill Grieve of the Countryside Alliance said: “We haven’t seen this level of anger from the hunting community since the Hunting Bill was going through parliament.

“To see such a blatant animal rights agenda on the high street will sicken and infuriate anyone who witnessed the true extent of the HSA’s criminal activity, intimidation and thuggery over the years.

“Lush may well have swallowed the HSA’s propaganda, but country people know exactly what is going on behind the balaclavas.”

H&H editor Lucy Higginson added: “Anyone who has ever heard hunt sabs target small children with obscene language – hoping their parents will no longer allow them out hunting to face such abuse – will be repulsed by this decision.

“I hope hunt supporters will alert their friends to this move and never darken Lush’s doors again.”

Company ethics manager Hilary Jones told H&H that Lush believes the Hunting Act is not being policed properly and the HSA needs support to do this.

She claimed to be unaware of the HSA’s violent past.

Lee Moon, press spokesman for the HSA, said money raised by Lush would go towards “non-violent action to save the lives of foxes”.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (15 October, ’09)

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UK hunts are being warned to avoid confrontations with antis this season after concerns that “hunt monitors” are trying to bait followers.

In a letter sent to packs last month, Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) chairman Stephen Lambert said: “Their [the monitors’] prime objective is, without doubt, to inflame our supporters and trigger a serious public order incident in which hunting people will be shown as the aggressors.”

For the first time since November 2005, no hunt is facing prosecution under the Hunting Act, and repeal looks increasingly possible.

Antis, therefore, are exploring other ways to win back the support they have lost since the Act came into force, says the MFHA.

The Heythrop and Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks (VAGSB) has experienced an increase in activity by monitors, including Protect Our Wild Animals (POWA) members Penny Little and Peter Bunce, in the past few weeks.

Guy Portwin, senior master of the VAGSB, said: “The hunt has been targeted by local monitors about six times so far this season. Several complaints have been made to police by the hunt, including concerning the filming of children.

“We have stressed to followers the need for restraint, no matter how provoked anyone feels, and are pleased to report that followers are filming the monitors, making complaints to the police and avoiding interaction.”

The Countryside Alliance (CA) has written to the chief constables of Thames Valley Police and Gloucestershire Police pointing out the antis are pursuing a clear strategy

of incitement.

Mr Lambert told H&H: “The antis of this world are desperate. They lost the moral and wildlife management arguments ages ago. Now they see that their only hope of wrecking repeal is to provoke a disastrous public order incident that they will try to pin on the hunting world.

“I am optimistic that the police are now beginning to grasp the picture and will play their part as much as they can to ensure that the next few months pass without incident.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (8 October, 2009)

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Hunts have greeted the redundancy of two of Britain’s most fanatical anti-hunt campaigners with caution.

Full-time “hunt monitors” Kevin Hill and Peter White have lost their jobs with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in what the charity’s spokesman Clare Sterling calls a round of “global cuts due to the recession”.

The Countryside Alliance (CA) said the redundancies prove IFAW is backing away from the Hunting Act.

“When the organisation that lobbied for a law appears to be disowning it, it’s a clear sign the law is not working,” said spokesman Jill Grieve.

But hunts in the duo’s firing line — across the south-west — were more reserved.

Exmoor Foxhounds huntsman Tony Wright believes the pair will keep monitoring.

He said: “The fact that their funding has been cut will mean nothing — I think they’ll redouble their efforts to prove IFAW wrong.”

Cattistock joint-master Fiona Vigar agreed, adding: “Our members have felt threatened and upset by their constant videoing, so while their redundancy can only be a relief, I don’t think it will stop them”.

Hill and White worked for the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), before starting with IFAW in 1998, shortly after the two organisations formed an anti-hunting coalition with the RSPCA.

They provided evidence in two high-profile cases against hunts — the Heythrop and the Devon and Somerset Staghounds — both of which failed in the courts.

Former LACS chief executive Jim Barrington, who now heads the All Party Parliamentary Middle Way Group, suggested the redundancies mean IFAW is seeing the “writing on the wall” after a High Court clarification rendered the Hunting Act unworkable (news, 12 February).

“Perhaps it means they are starting to understand,” he said.

But Ms Sterling said IFAW remains “as committed as ever” to enforcing the Act.

“We still have our hunt campaigner and are still working on cases,” she said, adding: “We’re planning to take them back on a contractual basis for the new season, but haven’t finalised the details.”

Kevin Hill told the Western Daily Press: “If the hunting fraternity think they’ve seen the last of us, they are mistaken.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (20 August, ’09)

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Legal action against hunt saboteurs by the Crawley & Horsham hunt and 80 landowners has been shelved a year after it was launched, with probable costs of £100,000 to hunting and little gained.

Funds for the test case were procured from the Countryside Alliance (CA) and Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), with around £20,000 from the Crawley & Horsham and other hunts.

But now the CA and the hunt have reached an agreement with the saboteurs to pay their costs — which amount to more than £60,000 — and drop the case.

“Continuing [the case] would be pointless,” said Crawley & Horsham joint-master Antony Sandeman.

“People will think we have cocked up and had to back off, but it’s not that. It’s the cost of the case and the length of time [it has been running].

“The evidence to prove our case is there and can be used if they return to their old tricks.”

The hunt first applied for an injunction in July 2008 to stop members of the West Sussex Wildlife Protection Group (WSWPG) trespassing on land and harassing hunt supporters (news, 19 June 2008).

The case was halted after judge Ross Cranston’s opposition to hunting was revealed.

In October 2008, the case went to the High Court, but on 22 October, it was abandoned when the judge found procedural problems with the case brought by the hunt’s barrister, Tim Lawson-Cruttendon.

He also threw out the allegations of nuisance and trespass, leaving only harassment to be answered (news, 30 October 2008).

But Mr Sandeman said their main aim had been realised — Simon and Jaine Wild of the WSWPG have stopped harassing the hunt, although they still monitor them.

Mr Wild says the CA and Crawley & Horsham have backed off due to evidence of unlawful hunting and harassment they claim to have against the hunt.

“They are seeking to save face now by saying we are complying with their wishes, but I behaved exactly in the same way last season as I have done before.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (23 July, ’09)

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THE Countryside Alliance (CA) wants police to assure hunts that meet information will not be passed to animal rights activists through requests under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

In an interview two weeks ago with The Times, Richard Brunstrom, rural affairs spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and chief constable of north Wales, said hunts no longer needed to provide advance details of meets, as they have done since the introduction of the Hunting Act in 2005.

The same article stated that “senior police officers” were concerned that their neutrality had been compromised by being “forced to release details of meets through FOI requests to activists who had gone on to disrupt hunts”.

CA spokesman Tim Bonner said the statement was “surprising and concerning”.

“It would be a very negative step if hunts were not able to share information on meets with their local police,” he said.

“Prior knowledge of hunting activity allows the police to reassure the public about the legality of hunting and to avoid [them] being dragged into unnecessary activity by spurious complaints from animal rights activists.”

The FOI Act 2000 gives the general public the right to access information held by public authorities. But it exempts information that relates to law enforcement from having to be disclosed if that information is likely to prejudice the administration of justice.

Solicitor-advocate Jamie Foster from Clarke Willmott regularly represents and advises people within the hunting community.

“I have great sympathy for the position police find themselves in,” he said, “but it would appear fairly self-evident that providing animal rights activists with detailed information about the location and timing of meets is likely to prejudice the administration of justice.

“And as the police themselves would recognise, there is also the possibility of public order offences arising out of the information being disclosed.”

Tim Bonner added: “We will be advising hunts to continue to liaise with their local police and to provide information about hunting activity where there is an assurance that it will be exempt from an FOI request.”

He said the CA is unaware of any occasions where the FOI Act has been used successfully by animal rights activists to access information on meets supplied by hunts.

Chief constable Brunstrom was unavailable for comment.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (28 May, ’09)

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Otis Ferry’s legal ordeal is finally over after he admitted a public order offence at Gloucester Crown Court sitting at Cirencester on Friday (22 May).

Judge Martin Picton sentenced the South Shropshire hunt joint-master to a year’s conditional discharge and a £350 fine with £100 costs after the 26-year-old admitted causing “fear, stress and upset” to “hunt monitor” Helen Ghalmi.

Mr Ferry’s pleas of not guilty to charges of robbery, affray and assault were also accepted by the judge.

Defence barrister George Cox QC told the court that two weeks before the incident Mr Ferry’s Jack Russell puppy “Tiny” had been taken by, Mr Ferry believed, anti-hunt protestors.

“The dog was subsequently recovered, clearly having been taken by people who wished to make a political point,” he added.

The incident with Ms Ghalmi took place when Mr Ferry was visiting the Heythrop on 21 November 2007.

Mr Ferry, of Eaton Mascott, saw a Subaru car belonging to hunt follower John Deutsch being held up by Ms Ghalmi and another “monitor” Susan Grima. Mr Deutsch was trying to drive an injured horse for veterinary attention.

Mr Ferry rode to help Mr Deutch and there was a tussle in which Ms Ghalmi received “slight bruising” to her upper arm as he tried to tug her car keys from her grasp.

Mr Cox added that Mr Ferry is “often the subject of attention from those people who disagree with hunting on principle”.

Mr Ferry spent four months in jail on remand after he was accused of “nobbling” a witness against him in this case. He was exonerated on 1 May.

Mr Deutsch, 55, of Chipping Campden, admitted causing affray and was also fined £350 with £100 costs.

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Hunts in the Thames Valley area are being urged to “monitor the monitors”, following a second meeting between the Countryside Alliance (CA) and Thames Valley Police (TVP).

“The next season will be the most difficult one we have had under the Hunting Act — especially in that part of the world,” said CA spokesman Tim Bonner.

“Activists are constantly pushing legal boundaries, but if we want police to act, we’re best placed to get the evidence.

“No one wants to do it, but we can’t sit back and complain and do nothing more.”

The CA and Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) requested meetings with TVP following the alleged murder of Warwickshire hunt supporter Trevor Morse in March, an incident to which Midlands-based animal rights group Protect Our Wild Animals (POWA) has been linked.

At a second meeting on 7 May between police chiefs and CA chairman Kate Hoey and chief executive Simon Hart, police admitted concerns about the breakdown in their relationship with the rural community.

Assistant chief constable Brian Langston agreed to advise POWA against attending hunts before and during the trial of Bryan Griffiths for Mr Morse’s murder.

In a letter sent out last week to hunts, Mr Bonner and MFHA director Alastair Jackson stated: “We made clear [to police] our concerns about the POWA activists, and TVP’s response.

“The police are very aware that Trevor’s death and the involvement of POWA with hard core animal rights activists has changed the [hunt monitoring] situation significantly.”

ACC Brian Langston said: “The policing of hunts is a sensitive issue, and I would like to offer my reassurance that we will remain even-handed and professional.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (21 May, ’09)

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THAMES Valley Police has agreed to a meeting with the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) on Friday, 24 April.

In a statement to H&H, Thames Valley said: “As was always his intention, Supt Graham Bell has arranged to meet Alastair Jackson [MFHA director] to debrief any issues that could inform the policing strategy for the next hunting season.”

A spokesman said the force was “co-operating fully” with Warwickshire Police and the Civil Aviation Authority following the death of Trevor Morse at Long Marston Airfield on 9 March. He added that it would be “unwise to comment further” as the investigation continues.

Mr Jackson said: “We will address the concerns we have involving the police’s relationship with several animal rights organisations and subsequent attitude towards lawful hunting.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (2 April, ’09)

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The hunting community is demanding that “hunt monitors” are stopped in their tracks following the alleged murder of a dedicated hunting man in Warwickshire last week.

The relationship between groups opposed to hunting and Thames Valley Police is also being called into question.

“Because of the antis, one of our most dedicated supporters has been killed — we’re choking on it. It is completely unacceptable,” said Warwickshire joint-master Sam Butler.

“They stick their cameras in the faces of people, young and old, who are going about their lawful business. It’s serious provocation. It’s rude, uncivilised and aggressive.”

The Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) and Countryside Alliance (CA) have requested urgent meetings with senior police officers across the country and with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

“The hunting world supports and respects the police, but we’re confused by their strategy because they appear to be at least as interested, if not more so, in the so-called hunt monitors,” said MFHA chairman Stephen Lambert.

“They give far too much credibility to a small group of people who are, frankly, fanatical anti-hunters who have very little interest in animal welfare. They are totally obsessed — and prepared to cross any boundaries.”

Between November and March, MFHA director Alastair Jackson has written to Superintendent Graham Bell, head of hunt policing for Thames Valley, on five different occasions, requesting a meeting to discuss policy towards policing monitors and hunts.

“Rightly or wrongly, Thames Valley is perceived as less helpful than other police forces when it comes to matters involving the Hunting Act,” wrote Mr Jackson on 16 February, specifically requesting, for the fourth time, a meeting with Supt Bell.

Thames Valley Police declined to comment on Monday because Supt Bell was off duty.

Read this news story in full, plus a tribute to Trevor Morse, Julian Barnfield’s thoughts on hunt monitors, a look back at how saboterus became monitors, a guide to who’s who in hunt monitoring, and a straw poll of opinion about hunt monitoring on London’s streets, in the current issue of Horse & Hound (19 March, ’09)

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Surrey Union hunt chairman Ian Agnew has questioned why hunt protestors are continuing to disrupt legal trail hunting.

Mr Agnew spoke out after two anti-hunt protestors were arrested on suspicion of public order offences following the Surrey Union hunt on 28 February.

According to Surrey police, at around 1pm on 28 February, a number of protestors — from a group of around 17 following the hunt — donned facemasks and scarves.

A police spokesman said officers believed the masks “would be used to conceal their identity so they could commit criminal acts”.

The spokesman said two protestors refused to remove their masks, and became abusive towards both the police and hunt followers, so police arrested an 18-year-old man of no fixed address and a 34-year-old woman from Brighton.

Hunt chairman Ian Agnew said the Surrey Union has been experiencing disruption for the past month.

“What is their reason?” he asked. “We are quite happy for them to monitor us from public highways, but they are trying to disrupt legal trail hunting activity — this cannot be anything to do with animal welfare.”

The protestors were released on police bail until 17 March pending further enquiries.

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AN anti-hunting organisation has placed prominent adverts in newspapers across the south-west calling on residents to contact police if they think they have seen hunts acting suspiciously.

The quarter-page adverts, inserted by the well-funded global company the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), feature a close-up of a fox cub, and declare: “He’s only a few months old, but already they could be baying for his blood.”

They continue: “The [IFAW] believes that a cruel and illegal activity could be taking place in your area. Some people may be training their hounds by setting them upon fox cubs.”

It suggests that people seeing “suspicious behaviour” should call the police.

The Countryside Alliance (CA) branded the campaign irresponsible and said it illustrated the increasing desperation of the anti-hunting lobby.

“There are often letter-writing campaigns at this time of year, but this is the first time we have heard of adverts of this nature,” said the CA’s Tim Bonner. “The worrying thing is they encourage people to waste police time.”

The advert has appeared in papers such as the Western Morning News and Bristol Evening Post, and can be seen on the IFAW website (www.ifaw.org). The website also carries a detailed guide on “how to identify signs of cubhunting”, and recommends that the public calls 999 if they witness a “wildlife crime”.

A spokesman from Devon and Somerset Police was unable to comment on the issue of wasting police time, but said: “If they are asking people to dial 999, that is a number for emergencies only, such as public safety issues.

“If someone is not in danger of being injured or assaulted, the call will be downgraded.”

Mr Bonner said there has been a high level of hunt monitor activity in the first few days of the autumn hunting season in Gloucestershire and the West Country.

“Hunt monitors have been very visible, waiting outside kennels, filming and so on.

“Combined with these adverts, it suggests there is an increasing desperation in the anti-hunting movement.

“They know the politics are against them and that the Hunting Act is on borrowed time,” he said, adding: “The balance of power is changing away from the League Against Cruel Sports [LACS] and towards IFAW, a limited company that raises a lot of its money on issues such as seal clubbing and saving the whale.”

Alison Hawes, the CA’s regional manager for the south-west, said four full-time, salaried LACS monitors operate in her area, where there are 47 hunts.

“We’re the most heavily monitored district in the country,” said Ms Hawes. “This year they want results.”

A spokesman for IFAW said: “We’re not asking people to waste police time, but trying to facilitate the gathering of useful information. We’d heard reports from our monitors of suspicious behaviour in relation to cubbing, which takes place early in the morning and often on private land.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (11 September, ’08)

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Three hunt supporters have been found not guilty of stealing camcorders from two hunt “saboteurs”.

During a four-week trial at Winchester Crown Court that ended last Thursday (3 April), Peter Bogris, 30, of Petersfield, George Juer, 26, of Alton and Wayne Spencer, 40, of Billingshurst were accused of attacking “hunt monitors” Iris Luppa and Stella Hardy at a meet of the Hampshire Hunt (HH) on 24 February.

The three men were charged with robbery and affray, but denied all the allegations. The jury took an hour and a half to find them not guilty of all charges.

HH senior master Simon Harrap told H&H: “We are absolutely delighted with the news. Pete Bogris is a regular supporter of ours.

“The Hampshire Hunt does not sanction any type of illegal activity, so it is very important that they have now been found not guilty.”

The prosecution alleged that the trio took the cameras by force as the two women were “surrounded” on a path in the countryside near Preston Candover.

The defence said the women had fabricated what had happened during the incident and that an argument broke out when Miss Hardy was trying to film a three-year-old boy who was under the supervision of Mr Bogris.

The court heard how the confrontation ended in “pushing and shoving”.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (10 April, ’08)

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Two hunt-supporting homes in Wales have had property sprayed with hunt saboteur groups’ initials ALF (Animal Liberation Front) and HRS (Hunt Retribution Squad) in a suspected animal rights attack.

Police have confirmed that Charlotte Vangersteegen-Drake and husband Peter of Llowes had two cars vandalised overnight on 5-6 December — Mrs Vangersteegen-Drake is a joint-master and hunt secretary of the Golden Valley hunt.

And Jeff and Wendy Poulton’s pick-up, at their property in Painscastle, received similar treatment on the same night. They are Golden Valley subscribers.

Chris Davies, joint-master of the Golden Valley, called for vigilance within all local hunts.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (28 December, ’07)

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The Council of Hunting Associations (CHA) is warning hunt supporters and staff to “keep their cool” after Anthony Allibone, huntsman of the Dulverton Farmers, was last week found guilty of assaulting a hunt monitor for the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS).

In the same week, a Heythrop supporter was cautioned for puncturing the tyre of a car belonging to a hunt monitor, and last week a steward with the Cotley was fined for threatening two monitors.

“We firmly discourage hunt officials, members of the field or supporters from getting involved in arguments with monitors, even when monitors are trying to harass and are trespassing,” said CHA chairman Stephen Lambert.

On Friday, 9 February, Mr Allibone, 49, pleaded not guilty at Minehead Magistrates’ Court to using intimidating behaviour against Yvonne Nicola, 66.

The court heard how, on 15 March 2006, Ms Nicola went with two other hunt monitors to watch the Dulverton Farmers at Clayford on Exmoor. They stood on a public right of way with video cameras and waited for the hunt.

A video taken by the monitors and played in court last week showed the hunt entering the farm track and Mr Allibone riding close to Ms Nicola, before reprimanding his horse.

Rebecca Bradberry, defending, said Ms Nicola provoked the incident by waving her arms and touching the horse. Mr Allibone denied trying to intimidate.

He told the court: “I shouted at her to stop waving her arms, but you can’t get a horse to go back so easily.”

The huntsman was found guilty of assault by putting the victim in fear of immediate and unlawful violence.

In sentencing, magistrate Clive Powell said: “You over-reacted in your words and actions, and the tone you used, and in the control of your horse. LACS and hunts have to co-exist with each other and where they do come across each other, it is a matter for both sides to maintain good conduct.”

Mr Allibone was ordered to pay £400 — a fine, costs and compensation.

Afterwards, he told H&H: “We have to keep our cool, but it’s difficult. We mustn’t let monitors get the better of us.”

• This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (15 February, ’07)

A hunt steward in Somerset has been fined for using threatening behaviour towards two hunt saboteurs.

Mervyn Dowell, a steward and chairman of the hunt supporters’ committee for the Cotley Harriers, was last week fined £80 for using threatening behaviour towards self-styled “hunt monitors” Graham Forsythe and Helen Weeks, when they were filming the Harriers near Chard on 26 December.

“The police contacted Mr Dowell to say they had filmed evidence to suggest a breach under section four of the Public Order Act,” said the Cotley Harriers’ secretary Edmund Bailhache,who is also a solicitor.

“We haven’t reviewed the evidence and have no real idea of what happened, but because there was only Mr Dowell on one side versus the three ‘monitors’, we decided the weight of evidence could be against him in court and that we would take what the police are offering.”

Mr Dowell has accepted the fixed penalty ticket and £80 fine offered with no caution, no arrest, no conviction and no court case.

Mr Bailhache added: “The anti brigade, like everyone else, has realised the Hunting Act is completely unworkable and has not stopped people meeting on horseback

with hounds.

“Now the antis are coming out to film people and their objective is to be thoroughly provocative.”

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said: “Responding to provocation in this way is unhelpful.The question has to be asked, however, which other sections of

society are exposed to this sort of vigilante behaviour?

“The constant filming of individuals engaged in legitimate activity is simply provocation and, unfortunately, in this instance it has managed to achieve the desired result.”

• This news report was first published in Horse & Hound (8 February, ’07)

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An anti-hunt campaigner is facing a possible charge under new harassment laws after being arrested outside the home of a West Country master.

Aubrey Burge, 53, the leader of the hunt saboteurs around Pewsey Vale, was taking part in the latest chapter of a 12-month campaign against the Avon Vale hunt.

A Wiltshire police spokesman confirmed that Burge had been arrested on suspicion of causing harassment under the new Harassment Act, introduced last year to tackle offences connected with stalking.

The spokesman said Burge was arrested at the Avon Vale kennels, near Chippenham, on 24 September and released on bail.

The hunt welcomed the arrest, but the Hunt Saboteurs’ Association claimed it amounted to a wrongful application of the new laws.

The case, if it ends up in court, will set a new precedent on how far anti-hunt campaigners can go in their bid to gather evidence behind claims of illegal hunting.

The incident happened after police were called four times to the Avon Vale kennels — also home of the master Jonathon Seed.

Prior to his arrest, Burge was given two warnings by police. He is believed to have been seen photographing hunt staff and members of Seed’s family, including his wife and child.

A Countryside Alliance spokesman said Burge’s arrest sent a clear message that “such despicable behaviour would not be tolerated”.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (13 October, ’05)

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