There has been a concerning shift in how crimes and offences committed by the Warwickshire Hunt are being managed by the Warwickshire Police Force since the overturning of a Community Protection Notice (CPN) in August 2023. 

Decentralising the investigations of an Organised Crime Group

Since the withdrawal of the CPN, senior officers have deliberately and strategically implemented new policies and processes that demonstrate not only their unwillingness to hold the Warwickshire Hunt to account, but also points to proactive measures being put in place designed to protect hunting interests. In practice, this means that the Warwickshire Hunt can and do carry out their activities, which includes persistently committing multiple crimes and offences, with impunity. Effectively placing them “above the law”.  

The new policies and procedures, implemented arbitrarily by senior officers, have fragmented the reporting of the hunts crimes and offences. Until August 2023, and the withdrawal of the CPN, Warwickshire Police had a centralised and dedicated Rural Crime Team responsible for investigating illegal fox hunting and the surrounding activities of the Warwickshire Hunt. This resulted in the issuing of both a CPW (Community Protection Warning) and a CPN. Both were blatantly and consistently ignored by the Warwickshire Hunt.  

The crimes and offences committed, as well as illegally hunting foxes, include: 

·       Dangerous road use and offences – riding quad bikes illegally, delaying traffic, obstructing roads, stopping traffic (including emergency vehicles), out of control hounds which have caused numerous near-misses. These offences not only disrupt daily life but pose significant risks to the safety and well-being of the general public.

·       Anti-social behaviour and offences – trespassing on residents’ land and property, frequently ignoring the objections of local residents to stay off their land, worrying livestock, trespass on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (which is also a rural crime as well as anti-social behaviour), aggression and intimidation towards residents, members of the public and hunt monitors, harassment and stalking of members of the public (including placing trackers on hunt monitor vehicles). 

A call to reinstate a centralised police approach

The activities and offences committed by the Warwickshire Hunt, structured as a limited company, classify it as a corporate body. The operational nature of their actions, which systematically result in criminal offences, aligns with the definition of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) under UK law. As such, the handling of their offences requires a centralised approach. This ensures a coordinated and effective law enforcement response, typical of how OCG activities are managed within policing frameworks. Therefore, it is imperative that the Warwickshire Police Force address these activities through a dedicated central team, specialising in OCG investigations, to uphold the integrity and efficacy of the legal process.

The impacts of decentralising policing of hunting in Warwickshire

Decentralising the policing of an Organised Crime Group, has a number of negative impacts on communities, local residents, road users, wildlife and precious habitats: 

·       Impacts of Fragmentation

The decision to divide reporting responsibilities among different teams has diluted the effectiveness of policing these activities. Important evidence is overlooked, and response times are delayed, which not only hampers the investigation process but also allows ongoing criminal activities to persist without appropriate intervention.

·       Corruption and Bias Concerns

The restructuring occurred under dubious circumstances, following secretive agreements and controversial policy changes initiated by senior officers within the Warwickshire Police. These actions raise significant concerns about bias, potentially favouring the Warwickshire Hunt, and corruption, as evidenced by the lack of transparency and accountability in these decisions.

·       Community Trust and Safety

The community's trust in local law enforcement is waning due to these issues. Effective policing requires confidence from the public, which is currently undermined by the apparent protection of a group frequently accused of illegal activities. Furthermore, the safety and well-being of our rural communities are at stake, as continued Hunt activities negatively impact local wildlife and habitats, contravening national goals for biodiversity restoration.

Our Demands: we urgently request that:

·       All policing related to the Warwickshire Hunt be centralised under the Rural Crime Team to ensure specialised, consistent, and effective handling of all related offences.

·       An independent review of the policy changes made since the agreement with the Warwickshire Hunt be conducted to evaluate potential biases and corruption in decision-making processes.

·       Transparency is increased regarding the agreements and policies affecting the handling of Hunt-related offenses, with community involvement in future policy formulations.

This petition seeks not only to restore effective law enforcement practices but also to ensure that justice is accessible and equitable across Warwickshire. We appeal to our local leaders and law enforcement officials to take immediate action to address these critical issues.

Sign the petition

By signing this petition, you help ensure that our community can rely on a fair, focused, and expert approach to policing rural crimes, restoring trust in our law enforcement and promoting justice for all residents of Warwickshire.

Join us in demanding a return to integrity and efficiency in the policing of rural crimes in Warwickshire. Your support is crucial in making our voices heard and fostering a just, accountable law enforcement system.