TWO ARRESTS AT BETCHWORTH FOX HUNT
Surrey Mirror
The two people were part of a 20-strong group who attempted to force their way onto private land near Betchworth to monitor the Surrey Union Hunt (SUH).
About 40 riders and 100 supporters were met by demonstrators wearing camouflaged jumpsuits, face masks and scarves.
A 34-year-old woman from Brighton and an 18-year-old man of no fixed address were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
A police spokeswoman said: "Officers ordered demonstrators to remove the items concealing their faces.
"Two refused and became abusive towards the police and were arrested."
SUH said the arrests, made at 1pm on Saturday, were the culmination in a series of sabotaged hunt meetings over the past few weeks, which had become increasingly violent.
A SUH spokesman, who would not be named for fear of reprisals, said: "They were asked by a representative of the landowner not to enter but they tried to force their way past.
"It became clear that there was going to be trouble and the police stepped in. Instead of co-operating with officers they became abusive."
He added: "When you have people running around with face masks and being intimidating and abusive it is quite alarming."
Saboteurs from Brighton and London as well as those from the local area arrived to disrupt the hunt.
The protesters said they believe SUH had been hunting illegally, a claim vigorously denied by the hunt.
John Davis, 39, a hunt saboteur, from Brighton, said: "We were there to make sure they were not hunting [foxes with hounds].
"They say they are just trail hunting but when our backs are turned we think they start fox-hunting again."
The two people arrested were released on police bail pending further inquiries.
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