North Yorkshire Police: Take Decisive Action on Derwent Hunt

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First name

Last name

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Subject

Letter

To North Yorkshire Police,

I am writing to express serious concern over the continued lack of decisive enforcement action in response to repeated incidents involving the Derwent Hunt across the North York Moors and surrounding areas.

There is now a clear and well documented pattern of behaviour. The Derwent Hunt has been repeatedly reported for trespass, loss of control of hounds, and activity consistent with illegal hunting. These incidents have been captured by monitors and hunt saboteur groups, reported by local residents, and in multiple cases attended by police officers.

And yet, despite this growing body of evidence and ongoing community concern, no meaningful enforcement action appears to have been taken.

In particular, I am asking why a Community Protection Notice has not been issued.

Other police forces, including Humberside Police and Lincolnshire Police, have already used Community Protection Notices to successfully address similar patterns of hunt related trespass and antisocial behaviour. These powers exist. They have been used. They have worked.

So the question is unavoidable. Why is North Yorkshire Police not taking the same approach?

This is not about a lack of evidence. Evidence exists from multiple sources, including Forestry England, local residents, and independent monitors on the ground. Local communities are directly affected, with reports of hounds running through private gardens and causing distress. This is persistent antisocial behaviour and it meets the threshold for action.

If there are concerns about evidential standards, then it is essential that all available sources are properly considered. Local residents can and should be supported in submitting footage and witness reports. Forestry England holds its own records of complaints and incidents. Monitors and saboteur groups have consistently documented activity on the ground.

Taken together, this forms a compelling and credible body of evidence.

I am therefore calling on North Yorkshire Police to:

1. Take decisive enforcement action and issue a Community Protection Notice against the Derwent Hunt.
The pattern of behaviour is clear, repeated, and ongoing. Without intervention, it will continue.

2. Issue a public statement explaining your position.
I am requesting a clear and transparent explanation as to why no Community Protection Notice or equivalent enforcement action has been issued to date, particularly in light of successful use of these powers by neighbouring forces in comparable circumstances.

3. Set out how you will act going forward.
Communities deserve clarity on what action will be taken if further incidents occur, and how evidence from local residents, landowners such as Forestry England, and monitors will be used to support enforcement.

Right now, there is a growing perception that hunts are being treated differently to other groups engaged in repeated trespass and antisocial behaviour. This risks undermining public confidence in fair and consistent policing.

If any other group repeatedly entered protected land, released animals, and caused ongoing disruption to residents, action would be taken.

The same standard must apply here.

Local people are speaking up. Evidence is being gathered. Complaints are being made.

What is missing is enforcement.

I urge North Yorkshire Police to act decisively, to use the powers available, and to demonstrate that persistent antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated, regardless of who is responsible.

Sincerely,

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North Yorkshire Police: Take Decisive Action on Derwent Hunt

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