CHRIS Williamson is right to wonder why the Conservatives want to try to repeal the hunting ban when most of their supporters, both urban and rural, want it kept in place.

With wildlife crimes increasing and persecutions of badgers, foxes, deer, hare and birds more prevalent, now is not the time for relaxing laws that protect them but need to be strengthened.

Whoever is in charge of the country in a few months' time should be working with the Crown Prosecution Service and police so that the act is robustly enforced and changed with long custodial sentences for these crimes and a ban on interfering with any wildlife shelters and the use of terriers. Only then can we call ourselves a civilised society.

Yes, health, education and the economy are important as well as catching burglar Bill, but so is how we treat our wildlife.

Colin Grimley,

High Edge Mews,

Belper.