Wxm 1,638 Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 AM calls for crackdown on illegal hunting in North Wales Published date: 14 July 2009 | Published by: Evening Leader reporter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTH Wales must not become a 'soft touch' for illegal hunting says Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths. She has spoken out following the publication of police figures which reveal that in the past three years not one single prosecution has been brought in the region as the result of reports from the public about suspected illegal hunting. Between February 2006 and March 2009, 66 incidences of alleged illegal hunting took place. In nearly every incident, the reason North Wales Police gave for not pursuing the complaint is recorded as 'no evidence of offences'. Six of these reports came from Wrexham and a further two from Llangollen – the last of which was made on January 17 this year in Llangollen. The practice of hunting with dogs was outlawed in the Hunting Act 2004 and came into force in the UK in February 2005, ending what supporters claim is was the 'barbaric' killing of foxes with hounds. The publication of the information – obtained under the Freedom of Information Act – comes following new guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), under which police forces can choose to stop monitoring hunts. This, fears Lesley Griffiths, could leave the door open for hunts to take place illegally. Under ACPO's new guidance, hunts will also no longer be required to inform police in advance of the time, place and route for hunt meetings. Ms Griffiths said: "I am disappointed by these figures. The statistics clearly demonstrate the incidents are not localised problems. "The reported occurances are spread geographically across the length and breadth of North Wales. "On average, there are over 30 reports of illegal hunting being made each year. "Given that North Wales is predominantly a rural area and fox hunting is almost exclusively a rural activity, I would like to see a greater focus made by local police to ensure North Wales must not become a soft touch location for those intent on breaking the law." She added: "Of the 66 complaints made, I find it inconceivable that insufficient evidence was found in nearly every case. "With this level of concern being reported in North Wales, it essential that the public have full confidence that the police will fully investigate each suspected breach of the law." A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: "North Wales Police takes wildlife crime seriously and investigates all matters reported to us. "The force has its own wildlife and environment sergeant Rob Taylor, who is supported by 24 divisional officers who, apart from their everyday duties, have received additional training in wildlife crime investigation. "In terms of complaints regarding illegal hunting, over the past 18 months 22 complaints have been made to the force which represents a significant drop in the number of incidents reported to us. "Every case reported is fully investigated and where there is enough evidence, prosecutions will be brought." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wxm 1,638 Posted September 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 i know its from a few months ago but i was just lookin on the site and came across it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
craigyboy 1,274 Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 (edited) heres hoping lesley griffiths gets a dose of the Edited September 26, 2009 by craigyboy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fells2flats 0 Posted November 2, 2009 Report Share Posted November 2, 2009 yo buddy,im from wrexham and we hunting llangollen, lanntysillio ect. i dont know if its the same cases, but iv been out hunting and we've had the police out 3 times last season...helicopter twice..but theyv done nothing... no idea who reported us. one helicopter scene was just past llan towards corwen and 1 was ruithin area... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edd_Wiltshire 9 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 I am in wiltshire, just near the border with Gloucestershire, and in last weeks local paper there was literally only a paragraph on the local plod clamping down on hare coursing. What a complete joke, when even a small market town is terrible for drink related violence on a weekend, but they decide to chase people enjoying their hobbies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
maty j 6 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 The reason no prosecusions have been made? Perhaps nothing illegal Is going :crazy: And this shit makes It Into the papers Saying that the fuzz arn't slacking off as F2F says... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the fezz 44 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 i was ferreting last season when 6 or 7 hill walkers came along the footpath below me the woman walking at the back of them looked up at me , i was at the time picking up me nets ,bag and spade ............. well with in seconds her mobil was out and i new what she was doing , was no way i was stopping ferreting so carryed on 15mins and the boys n blue are on the road on the other side of the valley. they sat there for 10 mins and fecked off , they never got out the car . the plod round here are all 18stone wasters and i dont know how the feck they ever got into the "force" as there not able to walk fast without breakin a sweet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 The reason no prosecusions have been made? Perhaps nothing illegal Is going :crazy: You Gogs must me good boys up there, fair play! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeakOil 352 Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 Perhaps no crimes have been committed? Or the North Wales filth are all busy hiding in horse boxes parked up along various roads? Or busy pretending to launch missiles at motorcyclists from the force helicopter? Crime won't crack itself Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brummy 9 Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 (edited) All police are thick pointless pricks. It really is that simple, PRICKS ! Edited November 4, 2009 by Brummy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Swampy 147 Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 The reason no prosecusions have been made? Perhaps nothing illegal Is going :crazy: You Gogs must me good boys up there, fair play! Or too busy interfering with sheep???????????????????????????????!!! Man I'm going to regret that! but by fek it was worth it Swampy preparing to make a very rapid strategic retreat to my work place so that i can ning Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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