Hunt saboteurs “will not face police charges”

SIX anti-hunt activists arrested during a controversial police operation have been told they won’t be facing criminal charges.

The hunt saboteurs and anti-hunt monitors say they are now considering suing the police for wrongful arrest. And they are making complaints about the “conduct and impartiality” of officers during the operation in Huntley back in March.

Around 50 officers, riot vans and the force helicopter descended on the village when followers of the Cotswold Vale Farmers’ Hunt called police after being confronted by around 30 protesters from the Hunt Saboteurs Association.

Police seized their vehicles and arrested six activists, mainly for possessing offensive weapons. Later, the police admitted they had just been carrying spray bottles of citronella – lemon-scented water used to confuse hounds following a fox’s scent – and home-made rope whips, similar to those used by the hunt itself to control the dogs.

All those arrested have been informed that no further action is being taken against them by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. Five were arrested for possessing offensive weapons, while the sixth – a 20-year-old woman from Sheffield – was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police, and has also had her bail cancelled.

One hunt saboteur, who wanted to be known only as Mick from Cirencester, said the HSA was unhappy with the treatment by police.

He said: “I’m keen that every one who was arrested should sue the police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. We need to get the message across to the police too, that they can’t treat us like this and have to treat both sides fairly.”

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Anti-hunt-protestors-face-charges/article-3613392-detail/article.html