HL Deb 08 July 2002 vol 637 cc63-4WA
Lord Elton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

By what organisation or persons the group of up to 80 masked individuals who assaulted a group of sportsmen and women and their hounds near Bidford in Warwickshire on 16 June were assemblied: and from which counties they came. [HL4865]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

I understand from Staffordshire police that a group of 25 to 30 protestors disrupted the meeting of the Three Counties Mink Hounds near Bidford in Warwickshire on 16 June. It is not known whether they belonged to any organisations or group.

Lord Elton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are being taken to prevent violent assaults similar to that carried out on 16 June by a group of up to 80 masked individuals on a group of sportsmen and women and their hounds in Warwickshire being perpetrated in that county or elsewhere in the future. [HL4867]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Police forces are working closely with hunts to enable them to gain intelligence on events where violence may occur. In addition, the police are working with the Crown Prosecution Service across force areas to ensure that crimes committed by animal rights extremists are investigated and prosecuted as effectively as possible.

Lord Elton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any of the hounds accompanying the group of sportsmen and women who suffered a violent attack by up to 80 masked individuals in Warwickshire on 16 June were injured by them. [HL4868]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

I understand from Staffordshire police that they have no reports of hounds being injured by protesters at the meeting of the Three Counties Mink Hounds in Warwickshire on 16 June.