Warwickshire Police set up new rules for hunt - and hunting protesters - to follow
THE Warwickshire Hunt is back in action with new guidelines in place following the widespread controversy over its relationship with the police.
The rules apply to both hunt supporters and opponents and were promised after the bitter exchanges earlier in the year about how the Warwickshire force was dealing with issues arising from its meets.
A police statement promised new rules would be laid out before the start of the new season and they were published with little fanfare on Monday, 19th August, setting out differing guidelines for both sides.
While trail hunting remains legal, clashes have occurred over whether hunts were still chasing foxes and killing them – and also over the chaos being caused on the roads around where they were riding out with their hounds.
A series of high-profile incidents led to the introduction in December 2022 of a Community Protection Notice. That is a recognised response to situations of anti-social behaviour – in this case the issues occurring on the roads.
But in a well-documented step, that was suddenly dropped the following summer – when an appeal against it by the hunt was expected – in favour of a protocol between the hunt and Warwickshire Police.
Details of why this switch was made and its contents appeared shrouded in mystery leading to fierce condemnation that reached the House of Commons through the county’s only Labour MP at the time, Warwick and Leamington’s Matt Western, in April this year.
The month before the police vowed to publish new guidelines and with the hunt now active again, the guidance can be found on the police website.
There are seven items listed as guidance for lawful hunt-related activities and five for lawful protest.
For the hunt that includes a commitment to notify the police with a map and roster of riders 24 hours in advance; to suspend the hunt if the hounds or riders go off the route; not to cause problems on the roads; not to trespass; to record any accidental kills and to supply any video, unedited, if requested.
Protesters should not trespass or obstruct the highway and should supply video and keep a roster to be shared with police if requested.
The significant difference is protesters face a guideline about language and behaviour that has no equivalent for those hunting.
Point three says: “Take steps to ensure that no hunt monitor shall act in a manner that is likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to others when in a public or private place, this includes words or behaviour that are offensive, threatening or abusive and can be towards members of the public or police”.
Assistant Chief Constable David Gardner said: “We are monitoring the effectiveness of this guidance and will continue to work with both parties to encourage compliance. Voluntary compliance with the guidance from both sides is our preferred option to ensure both parties act within the law and this issue doesn’t negatively impact on police resources.
“We will continue to thoroughly investigate any allegations of criminal offences we receive.”
