Hunting Politics
Police to Stop Monitoring Hunts
News Release Dated: Friday 15 May 2009
Police will stop monitoring hunts in a change of policy that could mark the final collapse of the hunting ban. New guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) says enforcing the Hunting Act 04 is impossible, and should not be a priority.
The guidance found gathering information on illegal hunting was too difficult and the Hunting Act 04 which came into effect in February 2005, was 'cumbersome' and 'unenforceable'.
Under the new guidelines, hunts will no longer need to inform the forces of when and where they would take place. And rather than the police monitoring them, alledged information about illegal hunts should be obtained by anti-hunt activists. But such groups should be handled with caution since they viewed hunting as an ‘emotionally charged’ subject.
Richard Brunstrom, chief constable of North Wales and ACPO spokesman on rural affairs, said: "Hunting is definitely not a policing priority. We recognise it is the law of the land and the duty of the police to enforce it, but to do so proportionately and according to priorities."
The guideline, which does not have any legal weight, was approved by senior officers this week who were urged to avoid: “acrimonious, time consuming, frustrating and ultimately fruitless activity”.
Mr Brunstrom added: "If there are offences they are likely to be taking place in a remote rural environment. We are not very well equipped to follow hunts and get evidence, and nor do we think we can justify it. Pursuing hunts is an expensive and sophisticated operation."
Since the Act was introduced, only three convictions were made out of the eight prosecutions pursued in total. The League Against Cruel Sports said the ban would still be legally enforceable.
A spokesman for the group said: "We fought for 80 years for the hunting ban and, while we accept it is not a high priority for police, a ban was the will of Parliament and is the will of the people, and we are going to press for more prosecution cases to be brought."