Two north Cumbrian hunt packs have been served by the police with community protection warning letters under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The notices have been issued to the Blencathra Foxhounds and the Melbreak Foxhounds.
A Cumbria police spokesman said it is essentially a warning letter informing the group that officers have received numerous reports regarding issues relating to them, including anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance and the detrimental impact on the community.
“It is a formal warning which, if not heeded, could result in further action, including via prosecution,” said the spokesperson.
Tony Locke, of Cumbria Hunt Watch, said the group had been concerned for many years that large numbers of complaints against the Melbreak and Blencathra hunts by members of the public have, at best, not been taken seriously and, at worst, intentionally ignored by Cumbria Police for reasons best known to them.
“However, we are now pleased to see an apparent change in the attitude of Cumbria police who are tackling the behaviour of hunts which have for so long caused distress and upset within the community,” said Mr Locke. “We will have to wait and see if Cumbria police follow up on any warnings issued to the hunts.
“We would encourage anyone witnessing what they believe to be illegal hunting or being subject to unacceptable behaviour or trespass by a hunt to contact Cumbria police immediately to report the incident.”
