Protesters in call for hunts to be policed (From Warrington Guardian)

Protesters in call for hunts to be policed

AN animal rights group is calling for the resignation of Cheshire's chief constable amid claims he has failed to enforce the Hunting Act.

Northwest Animal Welfare alleges that Ch Con Peter Fahy has failed in his duty to enforce the act, which came into force last year.

According to the anti-hunt group, there is no police presence at hunts to witness if illegal hunting takes place and members have accused the force of not investigating reports of breaches.

Peter Stratton, from Northwest Animal Welfare, said: "Mr Fahy, for whatever reason, has chosen not to enforce the Hunting Act, and as such should resign immediately to allow someone who is willing to enforce the law to take over.

"The public isn't allowed to decide which laws they choose to abide by and nor can the police choose which laws they will or will not enforce."

He added: "Cheshire Police have made no attempt to uphold the law and didn't even investigate a very serious incident in which motorists were nearly killed as a result of a Cheshire hunt chasing a fox across a busy road."

But Ch Supt Chris Richards, head of uniform operations, said the law is being closely monitored and insists all reports are taken seriously.

He said: "We will always strive to ensure that the peace is maintained first and foremost, and then to make it clear to all concerned that any breaches of the hunting law or any other criminal laws will be investigated as we would any allegation or complaint made by a member of the public.

"Where we have been informed of alleged breaches of the law we have investigated.

"I am aware of two reports of this legislation being breached in Cheshire since its introduction, both of which were investigated by local officers.

"Neither investigation led to any offences being disclosed or arrests being made."

He added that he would be willing to discuss any evidence Northwest Animal Welfare has in relation to incidents members have witnessed.