Hunters and anti-hunt demonstrators clash
Hunters and anti-hunt demonstrators clashed on one of the biggest days in the fox-hunting calendar.
Anti-Bloodsport activists gathered in the Welsh town of Carmarthen to voice their anger at the continued illegal hunting with dogs, which was made outlawed in 2004 by the Hunting Act.
The Anti-Hunt protest took place on the day that the Carmarthenshire Hunt have chosen to parade through the town to collect money and support for their events.
Anti-Bloodsport activists gathered in the Welsh town of Carmarthen to voice their anger at the continued illegal hunting with dogs, which was made outlawed in 2004 by The Hunting Act.
The Anti-Hunt protest took place on the day that the Carmarthenshire Hunt have chosen to parade through the town to collect money and support for their events
Sam-Marie Pheby, 29, a member of the Essex Farmer and Union Hunt which met in the High Street and Blue Boar public house in Maldon
The annual New Year meet of the Atherstone Hunt took place in the market square this afternoon
In the South-east of England, members of the Essex Farmer and Union Hunt met in the High Street and Blue Boar public house in Maldon, before parading the streets.
And in North Warwickshire the annual New Year meet of the Atherstone Hunt took place in the market square.
Anti-Hunt protesters were also in the square and the police were called after scuffles broke out during the meet.
A police helicopter monitored the situation as the protestors sought sanctuary in a nearby car park, whilst waiting for the arrival of officers on foot.
Last week, the Boxing Day hunts have drawn crowds of hundreds of thousands, with fox-hunting supporters claiming the events were attended by 'as many if not more' than ever before.
With 'at least 250,000' gathering at some of the many hunts across the country, pro-hunting group the Countryside Alliance said it was a 'great turnout'.
This is despite anti-blood sports charity the League Against Cruel Sports suggesting opposition to repealing the ban has risen steadily since its introduction.
And in North Warwickshire the annual New Year meet of the Atherstone Hunt took place in the market square
Anti-Hunt protesters were also in the square and the police were called after scuffles broke out during the meet
A police helicopter monitored the situation as the protestors sought sanctuary in a nearby car park, whilst waiting for the arrival of officers on foot
Anti-Hunt protesters were also in the square and the police were called after scuffles broke out during the meet. A police helicopter monitored the situation as the protestors sought sanctuary in a nearby car park, whilst waiting for the arrival of police on foot
Brought in in 2004, the Hunting Act forbids the hunting of animals such as foxes with dogs. Since then many hunts have continued operating within the law.
The Countryside Alliance said nobody connected to one of the more than 300 hunts in England and Wales registered with Council of Hunting Associations had been convicted of hunting offences in the past two years.
Since the Act was brought in more than a decade ago, 94 per cent of the 423 people successfully prosecuted under the act were for casual hunting or poaching and had nothing to do with registered hunts, the organisation said.
It added that the rate of successful prosecutions associated with registered hunts was falling.
In the South-east of England, members of the Essex Farmer and Union Hunt met in the High Street and Blue Boar public house in Maldon, before parading the streets
Members of the Essex Farmer and Union Hunt met in the High Street and Blue Boar public house in Maldon, Essex
Last week, the Boxing Day hunts have drawn crowds of hundreds of thousands, with fox-hunting supporters claiming the events were attended by 'as many if not more' than ever before. Pictured is Maldon, Essex, today
Since the Act was brought in more than a decade ago, 94 per cent of the 423 people successfully prosecuted under the act were for casual hunting or poaching and had nothing to do with registered hunts, the organisation said