POLICE have formally issued a hunt with a community protection warning (CPW) following allegations of anti-social behaviour and trespass during the previous year.

Devon and Cornwall Police (DCP) rural affairs team has refused to name the hunt concerned because it said it was not ‘deemed proportionate’ to do so.

However, a spokesperson confirmed the hunt operated within the DCP area.

DCP force lead for hunting Supt Emma Butler-Jones said: “Last week, we issued a community protection warning notice to a hunt, following several reports of anti-social behaviour and trespass over the past 11 months.

“I want to be clear that there is no place for illegal hunting in Devon and Cornwall.

“I hope that the issuing of this notice sends a clear message to hunt groups that anti-social behaviour, trespassing on private land, or any other illegal activity will not be tolerated.

“I also hope this provides reassurance to those affected by the actions of hunt groups, and our rural communities, that we take all reports of illegal hunting seriously.”

It is the first time that the force has issued a community protection warning to a hunt.

A spokesperson for DCP said: “A CPW is a formal, written notice warning individuals about behaviour which is believed to be causing unreasonable and/or persistent disruption to the community.

“The hunt group received the warning on Thursday, January 15, and must now adhere to a series of conditions set out in the notice.

“Failure to comply with these conditions could result in further action being taken, including a stricter community protection notice (CPN) or prosecution.

“We hope that this sends a clear message to hunt groups that anti-social behaviour, trespassing on private land, or any other illegal activity will not be tolerated.

“There is no place for illegal hunting in Devon and Cornwall.

“Anybody who has witnessed illegal hunting activity or anti-social behaviour, such as trespass, harassment, or hounds out of control, is encouraged to report it to us by filling in a form on our website or by calling 101.

“If an incident is happening now, always call 999.”

Conditions imposed by the CPW include:

• Notifying local police of trail hunting activity, hunt meets, or training events in advance

• Keeping hounds under close control at all times and gaining written permission from landowners before going on to privately-owned land

• Not blocking or causing disruption on roads

• Not causing nuisance, annoyance, harm, or distress through words or actions to any member of the public or DCP employees

The spokesperson said: “We have reinforced that the hunt must be suspended immediately if the hunt veers away from the trail.

“The name of the hunt has been left out of this publication as it is not deemed proportionate for us to disclose the specific hunt group at this stage.

“As this is a warning notice, we are not able to confirm, in line with media law.

“If the hunt breach the conditions of the warning notice, we will escalate to a CPN and we can proportionately name the hunt involved.”