Tackling criminals in the countryside

Hunts in Cheshire have had to deal with a particularly nasty campaign of animal rights extremism over the last few months so it was good to hear that one of the ringleaders of the hunt saboteurs pleaded guilty to assault and was fined £200 plus £230 costs and victim surcharge at Crewe Magistrates Court this week. Paul Allman carried out a completely unprovoked attack on a Master of the Cheshire Hunt at a meet in December. See full news story here.

As many of you will be only too aware this sort of behaviour is regrettably common from anti-hunt extremists, but as a community we are not always good at recording evidence of such crimes, or pursuing them with the police. There are understandable reasons why there are not more convictions like the one in Cheshire. Hunts have limited resources and are focussed on delivering hunting activity. Our community also has an inclination to turn the other cheek and sometimes has a lack of understanding of the criminal process and an understandable nervousness about getting involved in it. It is vital, however, that where hunts are targeted they record hunt saboteur activity and work with the Countryside Alliance, and the hunting associations to address illegal and anti-social behaviour.

We can help hunts and others in bringing forward allegations of criminal activity by hunt saboteurs where the evidence is available and people are willing to make complaints. The Alliance has a great team, including a retired police officer, who have a huge amount of experience in dealing with animal rights activists and this season we have invested more resources in tackling the small number of extremists who carry out campaigns of harassment against hunts.

The best answer to lies and vindictive allegations spread on social media is to see those who make them be convicted for their behaviour in court. We are grateful to Cheshire police for bringing this case, which should also act as a reminder to the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, who seems to have a personal obsession with hunting, who the real criminals are.

There are a number of other live investigations of criminal activity by hunt saboteurs being carried out by police forces across the country and we hope to see further convictions in the coming months. By working together hunts, hunting associations and the Countryside Alliance can send out a clear message that harassment, assault and anti-social behaviour by anti-hunt extremists are unacceptable in the countryside.

If you would like to contribute towards our campaign to tackle animal rights extremists in the countryside you can do so here.

Tim Bonner

Chief Executive

Follow me at @CA_TimB