Hunt investigations

A vital element of the League’s work since the introduction of the Hunting Act in 2005 has been the monitoring of hunting activity throughout England and Wales by League investigators. With over 25 years experience, the team at the League has led the way in both overt and covert hunt monitoring.

League investigators will be out in the countryside collecting crucial evidence of hunters breaking the law. Good evidence is essential if we are to bring cases of illegal hunting to court and we equip our investigators with specialist high-tech equipment such as long-range cameras, camcorders and radios in order to gather evidence used in court by the Crime Prosecution Service to bring illegal hunters to justice.

Throughout hunting seasons the League receives intelligence primarily through its monitoring operations and Hunt Crimewatch (HCW) service. HCW operates a dedicated, confidential phone line (Tel. 01483 524250) offering anonymity to anyone calling with information concerning hunting activity and an online facility for reporting information to the League.

The League also has an extensive network of local groups which filter information to staff at our Surrey-based head office. In addition to these information sources staff regularly monitor the press and relevant hunting related websites. This activity has enabled the League to direct operations and maintain an unrivalled database of hunting intelligence in England and Wales.  

In 2009 the League was invited to pass intelligence to the police National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) under an official Information Sharing Protocol.  The submission of League intelligence and incident reports to the NWCU is beginning to influence the NWCU in its strategic and tactical assessment of wildlife crime. It is the League’s belief that this process will demonstrate that hunting with dogs is a significant element of criminality affecting wildlife in England and Wales.