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An independent review into Warwickshire Police’s handling of hunting-related activities in the county has concluded that the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Warwickshire’s membership of the Countryside Alliance did not influence police decision making.
PCC Philip Seccombe commissioned the review to investigate how Warwickshire Police dealt with Warwickshire Hunt and if his position influenced decision making.
In 2022, Warwickshire Police issued Warwickshire Hunt with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) in response to anti-social behaviour related to the use of roads during trail hunting activities. However, the CPN was later withdrawn after a legal settlement was reached, details of which remained a secret until they were published by Warwickshire Police Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith on 8 January.
Another of the review’s findings was that Warwickshire Police underestimated the level of public and media interest in the issue and relied on a reactive rather than proactive communication strategy.
“The issue of hunting is highly divisive and elicits strong opinions on both sides. The review has not been commissioned to look at the current legislation on hunting, nor does it deal with arguments either for or against hunting. It aims to look specifically at Warwickshire Police’s use of a Community Protection Notice to tackle reported incidents of anti-social behaviour by the Warwickshire Hunt, how matters were handled when the CPN was challenged and the decision-making that lay behind this.
“I have been able to identify both good practice and areas for improvement. While there were clearly shortcomings, particularly around oversight and communication, it is evident that the force has taken steps to learn from these experiences and has implemented measures to address the issues identified.
“Importantly, there is no evidence to suggest undue influence from the Police and Crime Commissioner in operational matters, and I am satisfied that operational independence was maintained throughout. The use of a CPN was clearly focused on addressing anti-social behaviour relating to the use of public roads and not for allegations of illegal fox hunting. Nevertheless, the subsequent work by the force to provide greater clarity on how it polices the wider issue of trail hunting is welcome and, while it is early days, this feels like a step change in the way in which these issues are handled.”
David Peet, author of the independent review.
Read the full report – Independent Review into Policing of Hunting-Related Activities in Warwickshire – to find out more.
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