New Hunting season starts with the standard threats from LACS

A warning to the men and women in hunt coats has been issued by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) claiming to up the ante on monitoring actives for the forthcoming season.

"We've more people on the ground, our biggest investigations team ever and better links with the police, so be careful."

LACS have said that the fight is bigger than ever, saying they have taken on former special branch officer to lead new intelligence after investing in new equipment and databases.

However, Tim Bonner from the Hunting office has claimed the statements as ‘bravado’ and the "the bottom line is that for all this effort and all their talk, it's unlikely that LACS will achieve a single prosecution from the 2010-11 season."

However, it’s not just fox hunt clothing which can be seen on the field with saboteurs and monitors on the rise. Although still nowhere near to the numbers seen back in the 1980s where a hunt could see over 100 at one meet, an average Saturday will see 40 to 60 around the country but there is evidence that anti activity is creeping up.

Joint-master of the Surrey Union, Mark Sprake said he has noticed their numbers increasing although they haven’t bothered him this season.

"They quietened down immediately after the ban, but they have gradually come back over the past couple of seasons. It's the same old faces." said Mark.