Theresa May: Fox hunting should be a free vote for parliament
A Wiltshire policing chief has come under fire from the Countryside Alliance, who have accused the Police and Crime Commissioner of not understanding his own rules amid a row on hunting. The police branch recently changed rules so no officer may join the force’s Rural Crime Team if he or she has any personal links with hunting – past or present. Now Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has admitted to shooting and personally attending hunts in the past.
The Countryside Alliance’s Chief Executive Tim Bonner has accused Philip Wilkinson of “failing to comprehend the implications” of his own officer ban.
The group argues that his admission of attending hunts would deny him a job in his own Rural Crime Team.
In a Facebook comment, Mr Wilkinson said: “I shoot, fish and have a knowledge of the countryside where I live”.
“I have even been to a hunt-ball and watched the occasional boxing day hunt, as most country folk have.”
He claims he has “not been engaged in hunting or anti-hunting activities to a degree that would compromise my impartial position”.
In correspondence with the Countryside Alliance, Mr Wilkinson claimed the new framework for staff working in Wiltshire’s Rural Crime Team does not represent “a ban” on those with links to hunting.
However, the Alliance’s Tim Bonner said the language of the framework that has been publicised – “ensure staff do not have personal links with hunts past or present” – illustrates a clear ban for those like PCC Wilkinson who have attended hunts.
The row was sparked when the force appointed an officer with links to hunting to its Rural Crime Team in February.
Weeks later, PC Cheryl Knight was removed from her role following a backlash, and Wiltshire Police announced new rules to ensure all officers, civilian staff and volunteers within the unit have “no personal links to hunts past or present”.
Following PC Knight’s sacking, The Countryside Alliance subsequently launched a petition calling on supporters to “help us in standing up to blatant discrimination within Wiltshire Police”.
It called on the anti-hunting hiring framework to be scrapped.
“Not only are those with any involvement – past or present – with hunting discriminated against, those who take part in any “rural based hobby or initiative” must also disclose their interests. This could be any lawful activity, from shooting and fishing, to rambling.”
“It appears that Wiltshire Police have bowed to faux outrage and mob rule by a tiny minority, without considering the reputation of rural policing which is already at all-time low across the country.”
The petition has received some 4,200 backers since going live a fortnight ago.
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Tim Bonner has argued: “If you are now telling me that someone who has personal links to hunts by, for instance, attending hunt social events can serve in the [Rural Crime Team] you are contradicting the statement.”
The Countryside Alliance, which has thousands of members across Wiltshire, has said it will continue to raise the issue ‘at the highest levels’.
Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson was elected in 2021 with a slim 2,937 votes over his independent rival.
Philip Wilkinson was contacted for comment.
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