News from Welsh Labour

Wrexham AM urges police to uphold law on fox hunting

A Labour Assembly Member is urging Welsh police forces to uphold and enforce the 2004 Hunting Act, which bans fox hunting with dogs.

Wrexham AM, Lesley Griffiths, made her remarks following news that under new guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), police forces could stop monitoring hunts – which could leave the door open for hunts to act illegally.

The new guidance states that gathering evidence of illegal hunting is difficult for police forces. The organisation claims that the ban is hard to enforce and that Chief Constables have more pressing priorities to pursue.

Under ACPO’s new guidance – which was approved by the senior officers last week – hunts will also no longer be required to inform police in advance of the time, the place and the planned route for hunt meetings.

Commenting on the new policy, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

“The ACPO guidance is just that – guidance. It is in no way binding on any police force in Wales or anywhere else in the UK. I would urge all police forces to uphold the law to the letter on this issue and ensure hunting with dogs does not take place on their respective patch.

“The fact of the matter remains, hunting with dogs is against the law and any watering down of this is, in effect, an invitation to break the law. People expect the law – all laws – to be upheld by police. It would, therefore, be completely unacceptable for any Welsh police force to be seen as being ’soft’ on fox hunting. That would be tantamount to issuing an open invitation for hunting with dogs to take place and for law breaking to ensue.

“It is no secret that Tory Leader, David Cameron, wants to repeal the Hunting Act and re-introduce the barbarous pastime of fox hunting back into the Welsh countryside. The timing of ACPO’s statement is, therefore, unfortunate as it could be politically misconstrued by the public.

“I have written to the Chief Constable of North Wales Police to seek assurances from him that North Wales will not be allowed to be seen as a ’soft-touch’ for those intent on breaking the law when it comes to hunting with dogs.”

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