WARWICKSHIRE HUNT INCIDENT LOG

Since the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004, the Warwickshire Hunt has continually and arrogantly violated the law, blatantly disregarding its legitimacy. For years, hunt saboteurs and concerned citizens have submitted raw, unedited footage to Warwickshire Police, clearly demonstrating the dangers posed by the Warwickshire Hunt and the many offences they have committed, breaking a number of different laws and legislation.

An Organised Crime Group

The Warwickshire Hunt is notorious for their antisocial and illegal activities. Their actions have repeatedly endangered public safety:

• Disrupting Traffic: Hounds frequently disrupt traffic, causing vehicles to brake sharply, swerve, and even obstructing an ambulance.
• Blocking Highways: Causing hazards on public highways, especially at busy road junctions and on blind bends.
• Illegal Quad Biking: Quad bikes, often without visible number plates, weave dangerously in and out of traffic.
• Reckless Horse Riding: Horse riders block traffic, jump red lights, and cause general chaos.

Police Inaction and Secret Agreements

The Warwickshire Police’s Rural Crime Team deemed their behaviour so dangerous that a Community Protection Notice was issued. Shockingly, this was overturned by senior officers, leading to a “secret” agreement (the contents of which despite much campaigning and lobbying by us and other groups, MP Matt Western and even Channel 4 News) remain undisclosed.

Note that the conditions of the CPN issues in December 2022 was the Rural Crime Teams intervention to rein in the Warwickshire Hunt in an attempt to uphold the law. All it required was for the Warwickshire Hunt to inform the police of when and where they were going to cross busy main roads and to put measures in place to do this safely.

Senior officers, such as pro-hunt Chief Constable Debbie Tedds and her senior police officers on her team are actively blocking the submission of evidence and have reined in the Rural Crime Team, dispersing and diverting their role across the force which means that it is now virtually impossible to submit evidence that would also form the bigger picture of ,intelligence gathering for dealing effectively with organised crime. Despite reassurances, the Rural Crime Team no longer addresses the antisocial behavior of the hunt, leaving the public unsure of where to submit evidence. The Police and Crime Commissioner and member of the Countryside Alliance, Philip Seccombe has also been proactive in protecting the Warwickshire Hunt as well as senior officers including Debbie Tedds by evading questions put directly to him in public meetings, and by inappropriately hiding behind Section 32 of the Freedom of Information Act. The PCC’s role is not to get involved in operational matters, but he has a duty and responsibility to ensure that the Chief Constable carries out her role effectively and in this she and her predecessors have failed. There has not been one single conviction in almost 20 years since the Hunting Act was put in place despite the overwhelming evidence gathered and submitted.

Our Actions

On June 20th, we, along with West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and concerned Warwickshire residents, submitted raw, unedited footage directly to Warwickshire Police HQ. This is footage that we have been unable to submit due to the arbitrary changes in policy to divert and dilute the submission of evidence to police departments that have steadfastly refused to engage with us, hunt saboteurs and local residents. The document was marked for the attention of Chief Constable Debbie Tedds, along with a printed incident log. We also held a peaceful demonstration outside the Council House during the Police and Crime Panel meeting attended by PCC Philip Seccombe, where once again he actively evaded answering direct questions put to him.

Demand Truth, Transparency, and Justice

For too long, Warwickshire Police have protected the Warwickshire Hunt. Amid secret deals and favouritism, it is the communities and wildlife of Warwickshire that suffer. Enough is enough.

Take Action

If you live in Warwickshire, we urge you to act against this corruption. Contact your local representatives and demand immediate action:

• Matt Western (Labour MP): matt.western.mp@parliament.uk
• Will Roberts (Green Party District Councillor): Will.Roberts@warwickdc.gov.uk
• Ian Davison (Green Party District Councillor): Ian.Davison@warwickdc.gov.uk

Use the template email provided below to voice your concerns and call for change.

Stay Updated

We will continue to update the incident log, so please keep checking back. Together, we can demand accountability and protect our communities and wildlife.