Lacock hunt: Boxing Day protesters out in force in Wiltshire

The group met outside The Red Lion pub in Lacock at 10am to protest this year’s Boxing Day hunt.

The protest organisers urged attendees to remain peaceful. In the event’s description on Facebook, they said: “The Boxing Day Hunt is the biggest event in the hunting calendar.

“We plan to utilise this opportunity to show our objection to their violent and barbaric practice. We ask all attendees to remain peaceful.”

Anti-hunting protesters. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The Red Lion and the National Trust car park remained closed during the hunt this year after huntsman and saboteurs clashed outside the pub on December 27, 2021.

Twelve months ago around 50 protesters met over 100 hunt supporters, leading three people to be convicted as a result of the disorder.

It was a much more peaceful affair this time with a large police presence ensuring history did not repeat itself.

Last week Wiltshire Police outlined the steps they would take to prevent further violence this year, after coming under heavy criticism for their policing of last year’s hunt.

There was a large police presence at this year's hunt after disorder in 2021. (Image: Trevor Porter)

This included engagement with hunt organisers and protest groups ahead of time, the use of appropriate terminology when referring to both groups, the utilisation of officers’ body cameras for transparency and evidence gathering, as well as improving intelligence capability relating to the hunt.

A spokesperson said: “Following the disorder at the Boxing Day Hunt held in Lacock on 27 December 2021, when a number of people were arrested, we undertook a review of our policing approach to identify any organisational learning from the event.

“In line with recommendations from this review, we wrote to every hunt operating within our Force area early in November, asking for their co-operation and support to work with us to overcome any tensions around hunting. We have engaged with many of the hunts following their receipt of the letter.

“Public safety is always our top priority and we must ensure that our policing response to events such as this is proportionate, well considered and based on the risks posed to the public.

“We respect the rights of all groups to peaceful protest and the expectation is for all groups that attend hunts to be non-confrontational. We will act impartially and will not hesitate to take appropriate action against any organisation, group or individual who break the law."

The Avon Vale hunt this Boxing Day. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Witnesses to illegal activity at hunts should report it to 999 or 101, or to an officer in attendance.