The hunting ban is due to become law tomorrow, Friday, February 18.
From tomorrow, the Hunting Act 2004 bans the hunting of wild mammals with dogs and all hare coursing events throughout England and Wales.
Throughout the last year, Avon and Somerset Constabulary report, the force has been in consultation with groups on both sides of the hunting debate to ensure the new legislation comes into place as smoothly as possible.
Extensive meetings have also taken place with neighbouring forces in Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and Wiltshire to ensure a consistent approach is taken by all forces in the south west region.
Around 25 per cent of all the hunts in England and Wales are in the south west – with 21 registered hunts in the Avon and Somerset area.
From Friday, the Hunting Act 2004 will take effect and will be classified as a wildlife crime.
Specialist wildlife crime officers will investigate any complaints if it is alleged that the hunting ban has been breached by a person or group.
After an investigation has been carried out the circumstances of any alleged breach in the law will be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.
Any public order offences which may be linked to the activity of any person or group surrounding the Hunting Act will be investigated entirely separately by police.
What they say
Avon and Somerset Constabulary hunt liaison officer and regional hunting lead Supt Adrian Coombs said: “Because of the extensive planning and consultation we have carried out with groups of various viewpoints, we believe we have done all we can to prepare for this new piece of legislation.
“If people hunt and break the law then the full circumstances will be investigated and the law upheld in the same way as any other breach.
“Enforcing the law in the early days may require an increase in resources devoted to hunting issues and the consequences of this will be carefully examined.
“If we are called to incidents of public disorder we will deal with these in the same way as any other by minimising its consequences and restoring normality as quickly as possible.”
Police hope to maintain and build upon strong links in country communities as those in rural areas adapt their lives to the change in legislation.
Supt Coombs added: “We realise the new legislation will have a significant impact on our rural communities, both economically and socially, and we value the good working relationship we have with those people.
“The way in which we deal with the act and the way it will reflect on our communities has been part of our consultation process. Any action we take in enforcing the ban on hunting or in dealing with any public disorder that may take place will be carried out sensitively and proportionately after we have assessed each and every case on its merits.
“Ultimately, we are committed to reducing crime and making our communities safer and do not wish to see any activity which detracts from these aims.
“As an organisation, we remain impartial on the hunting debate. Our role is to ensure the law is enforced and we are ready to uphold the new hunting legislation. We have received assurances from the Countryside Alliance and the hunts within the force area that they will reconstitute and any activity they carry out from Friday 18 February will be lawful. This is an approach we welcome.”
It is expected that a large number of hunts will gather for the last legal day of hunting today, Thursday, February 17, 2005 and on Saturday.
The same hunts are again expected to come together on Saturday, February 19, with many having trail or drag hunts for the first time.
