A call has been made to make hunt organisers pay for any police needed to oversee the controversial pastime.

Anti-hunting Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell says it is not fair for organisers of carnivals and football clubs to fork out for police officers when hunts do not have to.

Colchester MP Mr Russell, has already asked Essex Chief Constable David Stevens to send a bill to the organisers of the Boxing Day meeting at Maldon, which was attended by 60 police officers.

Mr Stevens declined.

And now Mr Russell is to ask Home Secretary Jack Straw to issue an instruction to Chief Constables nationwide which will make hunt organisers pay.

Mr Russell said: "Organisers of hunting do not have to pay for the police being in attendance while organisers of Colchester Carnival and Colchester United games at Layer Road, two socially acceptable events, do.

"Perhaps if those who can afford to participate in hunting were required to pay for policing of their leisure pursuit they may be less enthusiastic about the meets.

"The knowledge that police will turn up, with the cost met by the rest of the community, only encourages them."

Earlier this year Mr Russell criticised Government-enforced cuts to Essex Police.

Chief Constable Mr Stevens today said: "There is currently no basis for charging hunt organisers for the cost of policing. We might just as well attempt to recover costs from the saboteurs."

He added: "Over a number of years Essex Police have developed an approach which is fair to everyone.

"Hunting is not illegal and we protect the right of individuals to pursue any lawful activity without fear of intimidation or assault. Equally we protect the right of others to protest peacefully and within the law."

Mr Stevens also pointed out police sometimes have to be at football clubs for safety reasons and it was right some of the cost should fall to the club since it charges the public admission fees.

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