Police will be prepared for any trouble that may flare up at foxhunts in Essex over the festive period.
A spokesman for Essex Police refused to say if officers were expecting trouble from protesters at the two hunts planned for today following yesterday's news that the decision on a hunting ban could be delayed.
The spokesman said: "In the light of recent events at Government level, we will not be taking it for granted that there will not be any trouble we had not been expecting any as recent events have passed without incident. Anything that does happen will be dealt with accordingly."
Two hunts were scheduled to take place today, one at Braintree run by the East Essex Hunt and the other in Chignall Smealy organised by the Essex Fox Hounds group.
An Essex Farmers' Union event leaves the Horse and Groom pub in Galleywood at 11am on Monday.
Another, run by the East Essex Hunt, starts at Tattersalls Farm, near Sible Hedingham, at 11am on Monday, and the same group is planning a hunt on December 31 leaving from Dynes Hall in Halstead at 10.45am.
The traditional Boxing Day hunt in Maldon is not taking place this year.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Friday, December 24, 2004
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