Tracking the hunters (From Gazette & Herald)

Tracking the hunters

ANTI-HUNT groups have set up a website urging their supporters to keep a close watch and ensure the new hunting ban is enforced.

The move comes as Ryedale area commander, Inspector Neil Burnett said that - following guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) - it was "unlikely" that North Yorkshire Police would monitor hunts.

Edward Duke, a member of the Middleton Hunt and a founder of the militant pro-hunting group Real CA, said he believed "absolutely" that any attempt to monitor hunts would lead to vigilante action from activists - which would turn to violence.

At midnight on Thursday the Hunting Act 2004 came into force outlawing hunting with dogs throughout England and Wales.

But it was claimed police would rely on information which came from third parties about alleged breaches of the ban - which would lead to anti-hunt campaigners and animal rights activists armed with camcorders gathering evidence at hunt meets.

Inspector Burnett said: "At this stage, it is unlikely that the police will be proactively monitoring the hunts unless there is a threat of violence and disorder,"

He said he anticipated that animal rights supporters would seek to monitor the hunts after the ban and make sure the law was upheld. He said a contingency was in place for today in case any violence erupted.

The League Against Cruel Sports is encouraging supporters to help them gather evidence to prosecute hunts.

It has set up a website, www.huntcrimewatch.com, where people can find out how to get training and equipment, like video recorders, to be a "field monitor" or observer.

The website warns: "We also need to be aware that hunts might seek to frustrate enforcement and be aware of a possible increase in violence from hunt supporters."

Mr Duke said he believed this would lead to vigilante action, which would turn to violence.

He said he feared what would happen if an anti-hunt activist tried to film near the hunt's many foot-followers.

"They will get violent; I think that's the problem," he said.

"We'll tell them not to get violent but they will because passions are running high."

Mr Duke said they had "a chance in a million" of filming incriminating evidence because hunts were so easily lost in the countryside and the league had so few supporters.

A spokesman from the League Against Cruel Sports said: "In our meetings with the Association of Chief Police Officers, we have been assured that the authorities will be treating credible claims of hunting breaches as they would with any other offence.

"We recognise that the police have their priorities but the League and ordinary members of the public will be available to support the police by supplying evidence of hunts breaking the law as and when it occurs."

A defiant call to fight back against the new law banning the hunting and killing of foxes with hounds was issued by the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance today.

It was "simply the first day in the dismantling of the Hunting Act", said Simon Hart, who was among thousands of people expected to attend hundreds of foxhound meetings throughout England and Wales.

Mr Hart said he was attending the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt at which pro-hunting Labour MP Kate Hoey is scheduled to give the pre-chase speech.

The Beaufort, established in the 17th century, is meeting at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, Gloucestershire.

Updated: 11:39 Saturday, February 19, 2005