Saboteurs get harassment notices overturned
Hunt protesters get warnings overturned – Hinckley Times
After filming the Atherstone Hunt persistently breaking the law (which includes illegal hunting, assaults, racist behaviour and blocked badger setts) during the last hunting season two West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs were surprised when it was them and not the hunt who the police decided to issue with a Police Information Notice (PIN). No evidence is needed by police to issue a PIN and no evidence exists. However once issued it can be used as evidence of harassment if similar allegations are made in the future. The saboteurs believe the police are abusing these powers to stop the right to protest. This is backed up by a letter sent from the Atherstone Hunt joint-masters to its supports showing the police went undercover with the hunt and were advising them on their behavior when being filmed by saboteurs.
The saboteurs have the backing of their MPs who have sent a stern letter to the Chief Constable of Leicestershire police to overturn the PINs and to stop aiding and abetting the hunt with its illegal activities.
The saboteurs have also set up a petition to the Chief Constable asking him to overturn the PINs wich gained over 3300 signatures
Following a meeting between the two sabs involved and a senior police officer on Tuesday, both PINs were overturned.
One of the sabs, Cathy, said:
“We are really pleased with the result and would like to thank all those who supported us. This is an important victory because we feel the PINs were being misused to try and stop our right to peaceful protest.”