From the Daily Telegraph a few days ago:

'Police have been told not to foil illegal fox hunts when the hunting season begins because of health and safety regulations. 'Guidance drawn up by police chiefs instructs officers to take the most cautious approach when investigating reports of illegal hunts for fear that they might injure themselves. They have been told not to go near hounds or horses and not to confiscate dead animals as evidence in case of injury or infection. Officers are also told to carry out risk assessments before embarking on an investigation; to ask farmers for permission to go on their land; and not to use police helicopters in case they "cause alarm to horses".

Posted by melanie at June 8, 2005