↓
 
1 2 3

Hunt supporting farmer with metal bar attacks sabs – No further action taken by Leicestershire Police

December 2016 Hunt supporting farmer with metal bar attacks sabs – No further action taken by Leicestershire Police

Hunt supporter with iron bar attacks sabs

Atherstone Hunt – Kennels – Saturday 3rd December 2016Iron bar wielding hunt supporter attacks sabsDuring Saturday's kennel meet an Atherstone Hunt supporter ran at sabs whilst waving an iron in the air before attacking sabs. He can be heard threatening to steal and break their camera. He then attacks sabs for a second time taking two sabs to the ground. Luckily sabs escaped without any serious injuries. This latest violent episode from the Atherstone Hunt follows on from another Atherstone supporter ramming their car into the sabs vehicle before shouting a tirade of sexist abuse at them https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/videos/vl.129195264208675/983238748487866/?type=1 The week before sabs were again attacked and had their cameras stolen by an Atherstone Hunt supporter. https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/videos/vl.129195264208675/981223345356073/?type=1Our vehicle needs some immediate repairs. We are already grateful for the support that you have shown us this season especially after the recent thefts so any donation will be gratefully received. https://www.paypal.me/westmidlandhuntsabs

Publicado por West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs en Miércoles, 7 de diciembre de 2016

A hunt supporting farmer wielding a metal bar ran at and attacked saboteurs. Footage was submitted to Leicestershire Police and a statement made by the victim. Leicestershire Police took no further action. At a later date DI Paul Kenyon claimed no statement was made by the victim. This was not true the statement was emailed to wildlife officer PC Rob Cross. PC Rob Cross happens to be friends with the farmer, Ashley Davies on Instagram. A formal complaint has now been made to Leicestershire Police Professional Standards about PC Cross’s links to the Atherstone Hunt and the conflict of interest caused by investigating one of his friends. You can read more about the Atherstone Hunt’s links to PC Cross here

The Decision to drop the case was made by the senior investigating officer DS Matt Trott (Yes the same officer who made his views on saboteurs very clear when he told a sab over the phone  “You are hunt saboteurs that’s what you do, you trespass on other people’s property and harass people”)

 

Saboteurs assaulted and cameras stolen by hunt – police want to arrest saboteurs

November 2016 – Saboteurs assaulted and cameras stolen by Atherstone Hunt – Leicestershire Police want to arrest saboteurs

Supporters of the Atherstone Hunt were filmed attacking saboteurs and then stealing their cameras before throwing them into a pond. Despite the incident being filmed and the victims making statements, an email from Leicestershire Police hunt/sab liaison officer PS Woodrow reveals that Leicestershire Police chose to believe a counter allegation made by the hunt despite the hunt providing no evidence to back up these claims.

Sabs Assaulted, Cameras stolen

Atherstone hunt 26/11/16 Heath Lodge Farm, Newbold VerdonSABS ASSAULTED AND CAMERAS STOLENFox filmed running from the meetSabs assaulted and cameras stolenLeicestershire police tell huntsman to stop huntingJust after the Atherstone hunt had moved off from their meet at Heath Lodge Farm sabs saw what looked like a bagged fox running from the farm towards them. Hunt supporters also saw it and began assaulting the small group of sabs, throwing one sab to the ground and stealing the camera from another sab who had filmed the fox. A body camera was also stolen with both cameras then thrown into a nearby pond. This is not the first time the Atherstone Hunt have stolen cameras that have either filmed illegal hunting or filmed the hunt using violence https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/videos/vl.177864915951414/809092482569161/?type=1. Only last month the Whipper-In encouraged Huntsman Stuart Barton to steal the camera from a sab who had just filmed him jump off his horse and violently attack him. https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/videos/vl.129195264208675/942197089258699/?type=1The incident was reported to the Police who were in attendance. Shortly after this incident Huntsman Barton was seen trying to hunt the same fox, calling his hounds all over the road and about to put them on to the line of the fox the other side of the road. Leicestershire police saw the fox and the hounds and told the hunt that he thought they were hunting and told them to stop. This is a welcome development from Leicestershire police and we hope its not a one off and that similar action will be taken next time the Atherstone are illegally hunting. However it wasn't all good from the Police with one officer a 1312 Lloyd telling one sab that “I don't think we should be policing the hunts at all”Barton had his face covered in what looked like foundation to try and hide the two big black eyes he received after being beaten by his former terrier-man. The hunt are still without a Whipper-In after their previous one was fired at the hunt ball. Dove Valley Minkhound huntsman Will Shaw continues to babysit Barton to try and prevent any calamities happening due to his poor hound control, he spent most of the day collecting stray hounds that Barton had lost. Thank you to everyone who has previously complained to Leicestershire Police, this latest development wouldn't have happened without you, lets hope this is the first step in Leicestershire Police cracking down on the Atherstones illegal hunting. Any help appreciated towards new cameras as sabs will be in the field next week. They stole over £400 of equipment.https://www.paypal.me/westmidlandhuntsabs

Publicado por West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs en Lunes, 28 de noviembre de 2016

Leicestershire Police watch fox being chased

November 2016 – Leicestershire Police watch fox being chased

Two officers from Leicestershire Police where present in a field and witnessed a fox being chased by the Atherstone Hunt. The hunt had been blatantly hunting all morning and the police just happened to be in the field as the fox was chased by the full pack of hounds who ended up all running out onto the road. What action did Leicestershire Police take? None. They didn’t even speak to members of the hunt afterwards. Instead it was a lot easier and less headaches involved for them to claim that they hadn’t seen the fox. Luckily we had sabs present on the road and were able to stop the hounds from continuing the chase the other side of the road.

The fact that the Atherstone Hunt felt they were able to hunt this fox right in front of Leicestershire Police shows how untouchable they obviously felt knowing that the police wouldn’t act.

No further action over fox kill

October 2016 – Investigation into illegal hunting by the Atherstone Hunt dropped

Leicestershire Police took no further action after the Atherstone Hunt were filmed killing a fox. Leicestershire Police are quoted as saying “It was closed due to a lack of evidence. The body of the fox was never surrendered to us” This is despite the body not actually being necessary as evidence and the fact that there was video footage of the incident. The main reason Leicestershire Police failed to recover the body of the fox was because at the time they were more concerned about false allegations that had been made by the Atherstone Hunt that a saboteur had stolen one of their hounds. This is Despite there being no evidence to suggest this had happened.

Another fox killed by the Atherstone Hunt

Atherstone Hunt 26-01-16 OsbastonANOTHER FOX KILLED BY ATHERSTONE HUNTOn Saturday the Atherstone Hunt spent all day chasing numerous foxes including through peoples back gardens whilst assaulting two of the people trying to save them. https://www.facebook.com/243223759156039/videos/787714478040295/Last month they were filmed chasing and killing a fox near Grendon Fields Farm, Grendon which the police are currently investigating https://www.facebook.com/243223759156039/videos/vb.243223759156039/755145201297223/?type=2&theaterToday the hunt killed another fox. A member of the hunt was off their horse near a hedge with the hounds near a stream. One of the hounds still had the recently killed fox in its mouth. The body was recovered by saboteurs and has been taken for an autopsy. Immediately after the kill Huntsman Stuart Barton carried on hunting as if nothing had happened, even hunting the hounds on when they got on to the scent of another fox. Whilst waiting for the police on the road near to the kill saboteurs noticed a member of the public with a hound that was limping. They said it had been hit by a car. On closer inspection the hound looked emaciated and unwell and made us wonder if the hounds have fully recovered from the kennel cough that they have been quarantined with for the past month. We haven't put all the footage from today online as it is currently being investigated by Leicestershire police.After Saturdays blatant and relentless hunting we asked how much do Leicestershire Police need to see before they take action to stop this hunt? Well now another fox has been killed and huntsman Stuart Barton shows no signs of stopping or caring. How many more foxes are Leicestershire police willing to let die before they take action? When officers did arrive they where the hunt where and we repeatedly asked if they would tell them to pack up in light of today's and Saturday's events. This didn't happen and the hunt carried on hunting.If people wish to donate to us please use the links below.Many thanks.Until next time WMHShttps://www.paypal.me/westmidlandhuntsabs http://gogetfunding.com/help-west-mids-sabs-keep-sabbing/

Publicado por West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs en Martes, 26 de enero de 2016

 

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/second-investigation-atherstone-hunt-dropped-11992555

Another case dropped

28th August 2016 Another case dropped   

Another case against an Atherstone Hunt supporter is dropped with no reason given. Atherstone Hunt rider Luke Miller-Bates was filmed assaulting a sab by grabbing her from behind and pulling to to the ground (as can be seen at the end of this video). Miller-Bates happens to be good friends with PC Rob Cross’s wife Louise Cross. During the investigation the investigating officer claimed they couldn’t locate Miller-Bates and didn’t have his details. We can only assume that PC Cross chose to keep quite about his links to Miller-Bates and the fact that he may have been able to provide relevant details to the investigating officer. In the end sabs had to provide the investigating officer with Miller-Bates details.

A formal complaint has now been made to Leicestershire Police Professional Standards about PC Cross’s conduct and the apparent conflict of interest caused by his links to the Atherstone Hunt

https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/photos/a.292446557567092/1467317533413316/?type=3&theater

Cases dropped just before trial

August 2016 Cases dropped just before trial

Several cases where members of the Atherstone Hunt had assaulted saboteurs were dropped in quick succession over the summer of 2016 including one case were nine Atherstone Hunt supporters ganged up on and assaulted three female saboteurs. Another case involving the Atherstone Hunts hunt stewards was dropped because the CPS claim Leicestershire Police were unable  to provide potentially relevant evidence, in particular names and statements of witnesses – despite witnesses making statements to Leicestershire Police. All of these cases were investigated either by PC Tom White or PC Rob Cross. Most of these cases were dropped days before they were due in court.

We will go into more detail in a later post about Leicestershire Police’s involvement in getting these cases dropped

PC White was sexist when dealing with one of the victims after a female saboteur said she felt threatened by the sexual nature of some comments made by the nine Atrherstone Hunt supporters (all men). PC White (also a man) told her that it was only her opinion that the sexual comments were threatening.Unfortunately the female members of our group have encountered sexist and discriminatory attitudes on a fairly frequent basis from male officers at Leicestershire Police. 

Wildlife officer outed as riding with local fox hunt

March 2016 – Leicestershire Police Wildlife officer outed as riding with local fox hunt

Police wildlife officer is ‘outed’ as member of one of Britain’s biggest hunts – The Mirror
Wildlife officer who regularly attends foxhunts should lose post, says petition  – The Guardian
Revealed: Policewoman who is tasked with investigating illegal foxhunting is a member of a hunt – Mail Online
Anti-hunt campaigners want Pc removed from her wildlife role due to ‘conflict of interests’ – Grantham Journal
Officer who polices foxhunts quits after being outed as member of a hunt – The Metro
Pc quits wildlife officer position – Melton Times

A member of West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs was part of an investigation with other saboteurs which resulted in Leicestershire Police wildlife officer PC Sharon Roscoe being outed as a regular rider with the Belvior Hunt. The story made the national press.  

Leicestershire Police had to have an ethics committee meeting to decide if there was a conflict of interest with a wildlife officer riding with a fox hunt. Bizarrely they decided there was no conflict of interest. However the public decided there was and Roscoe was eventually forced to step down as wildlife officer amid growing public pressure.

Leicestershire Police’s position is as follows:

“Hunting is viewed by the organisation as a lawful and legal activity. It currently does not impose any restrictions on officers who have chosen to pursue this activity outside of their working environment. There are a number of officers within the organisation who are involved in Countryside Pursuits; this is not something that they are asked to declare. “

The position of Leicestershire Police will need to change before any of the issues surrounding corruption, impartiality and conflicts of interest go away. 

No further action after independent witnesses report fox kill

January 2016 – Independent witnesses report fox kill – no further action

Several independent witness saw the Atherstone Hunt killing a fox in Ratcliffe Culey near to their kennels. One witness reported slamming on their brakes as the fox followed by the hounds dashed out in front of their car. The fox was killed near a pub in front of people having their lunch. The kill is reported to Leicestershire Police. The investigating officer PC Rob Cross  fails to give the kill a proper crime reference number. Only after repeatedly asking for one is a crime reference number allocated to the case.

This is the account of one of the independent witnesses

“A fox dashed across the road in front of our car, followed by several hounds which then proceeded first to trap the fox against a garden wall, and then began to tear the unfortunate animal to pieces. The members of the Hunt took no action to prevent this, and it seemed to us that they were encouraging and enjoying the spectacle. No doubt the Hunt will claim that the fox was found by accident, but it was clear to us that this was not the case, and that the Hunt was deliberately targeting the fox”

This is how PC Cross responded to this independent witness

“May I ask – are you certain that the fox was killed or chased by hounds?”

He also said

“On Wednesday I interviewed a member of this particular hunt and also carried out some further investigations. There is no record from the hunt for a fox kill’

PC Cross seems to have asked the hunt if they killed a fox to which they inevitably said no and he seems to taken their word at face value. Saboteurs also made separate reports to Leicestershire Police about illegal hunting by the Atherstone Hunt on the same day. Again no further action was taken and it seems the two reports of illegal hunting, from independent witness and from saboteurs were not joined up as part of the same investigation.

Police leak information about a live case to members of the Atherstone Hunt

January 2016 – Leicestershire  Police leak information about a live case to members of the Atherstone Hunt

During the Atherstone Hunts New Years Day meet a supporter of the Atherstone Hunt is filmed talking about details of a live investigation against members of the hunt. These are details which he shouldn’t have any knowledge of. He then claims that he was given this information by PC Rob Cross

A formal complaint has been made to Leicestershire Police as PC Cross has broken the police code of conduct by giving information to an unauthorised person. It should also be regarded as a breach of the Data Protection Act

So far Leicestershire Police have refused to even record this as a complaint

↑