HC Deb 16 May 1989 vol 153 c140W
Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department (1) if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Buckinghamshire as to why hunt saboteurs were permitted to disrupt the activities of the Northamptonshire mink hounds at Snelson, near Olney, Buckinghamshire, on 6 May; and what action has been taken in relation to the alleged recording of the car numbers of supporters by some hunt saboteurs present for intimidatory purposes;

(2) if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Buckinghamshire on the policing arrangements at the meet of the Northamptonshire mink hounds at Snelson, near Olney, Buckinghamshire, on 6 May; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that, following attempts to disrupt the start of the hunt, 15 demonstrators and one huntsman were arrested in order to prevent a breach of the peace. All were subsequently released without charge. The event itself took place without serious disruption. A number of huntsmen and demonstrators recorded each other's vehicle registration numbers before dispersing without further incident. In the circumstances, further police action was not considered appropriate.

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