Campaigners Claim Police Pursuing 'Witch Hunts' Against Rural Enthusiasts

Campaigners allege that police forces are spending significant amounts of taxpayer money on what they describe as 'witch hunts' against countryside enthusiasts, with many cases ultimately failing in court. An analysis by the British Hound Sports Association indicates that 15 criminal prosecutions brought against 25 individuals, including rural workers, farmers, and hunt volunteers, have collapsed or resulted in acquittals over the past six years.

Many of these individuals reportedly spend months or even years on bail awaiting charges for alleged hunting and countryside offenses, only for the cases to be withdrawn or to not proceed to trial. The analysis found that nine cases were discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) before trial, and three resulted in the prosecution offering no evidence. Two cases were dismissed by a district judge, and one ended in a not guilty verdict after trial.

Those affected claim they are being targeted at a time when police forces nationwide are reportedly failing to solve more serious crimes such as burglaries and rapes. Olivia Forsyth, a mother of three from Warwickshire, was charged in February with obstructing a highway during a hunt meet. She stated she was attempting to prevent a hunt saboteur, who was wanted by police for assaulting a farmer, from leaving the scene. Despite this, Forsyth, 42, was interviewed under caution, had her DNA taken, and was bailed, only for the charges to be dropped later.

Oliver Hughes of the British Hound Sports Association told The Mail on Sunday that these failed prosecutions result in six-figure sums of taxpayers' money being spent by police forces. He described the individuals as 'not hardened criminals' but rather hunt staff, farmers, rural workers, and volunteers whose reputations have been damaged and lives put on hold.

Hughes suggested that if such targeting were based on race or gender, there would be an expectation for the CPS to investigate why people were being unfairly pursued. He questioned why concerns about targeting individuals due to their involvement in trail hunting should be treated differently, stating it appears rural communities are considered "fair game."

Forsyth, who owns a horse livery business, recounted being confronted by masked hunt saboteurs at a children's hunt. She explained that after a farmer was assaulted by a saboteur who then fled, she stood in front of his car and called the police. She stated she was trying to ensure the assailant was apprehended. However, five months later, she was informed she would be interviewed under caution after the saboteurs allegedly reported her for obstructing the highway.

Forsyth described the subsequent police interview as 'terrifying,' involving fingerprinting and a DNA mouth swab. She then faced a difficult wait for a trial, which was eventually discontinued by the CPS at the first court hearing. Forsyth expressed her belief that the rural community is being targeted and questioned why such a situation would arise.

A CPS spokesperson confirmed that in Forsyth's case, a prosecutor determined there was no realistic prospect of conviction, leading to the discontinuation of charges. Other collapsed cases mentioned include prosecutions for having hounds loose on a country lane and interfering with badger setts.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police stated that they investigate all reports of crime based on available evidence, with charging decisions made in consultation with the CPS. The National Police Chiefs Council was approached for comment.