There is a need for surveillance
WHATEVER the circumstances of the sad death of Trevor Morse, a hunt follower who died recently when hit by a gyrocopter, it is important that there isn't an overreaction by the Civil Aviation Authority by banning similar flights.
In many respects, the hunters and their followers have only themselves to blame.
On occasions they boast of illegally blocking public footpaths, roads and bridleways so that hunt monitors or ordinary walkers cannot witness the hunt. Why would they want to do this and how have they got away with it for so long?
This needs to be stopped with much harsher penalties. Indeed, there is a strong case for a lot more aerial surveillance.
Colin Grimley,
High Edge Mews,
Belper.
4 Comments
by Claire, Cambridgeshire
Friday, March 27 2009, 1:42PM
“If I were to video a section of society because I thought there was a chance of them breaking a law then I would be charged under anti-harassment laws. The anti-hunt brigade has been allowed to get away wit their vigilante monitoring and now it has ended in tragic consequences.
In the 4 years since the Hunting Act was passed they have gained one successful conviction of traditional hunting. This rather suggests to me that given all the effort they are making that hunts are sticking within the law.
May I respectfully suggest these monitors get themselves a new hobby...”
by Brian, London
Thursday, March 26 2009, 12:20PM
“So called hunt monitors are rather like those deluded people who dress up as policemen etc and pretend they have some sort of authority. It is simply a mental problem that they cannot get on with their lives and let others get on with theirs. Generally they have no legal right to be where they are when they do their spying anyway. Flying about in aeroplanes to check on others is just another manifestation of their deluded sense of authority and importance. One should really have sympathy and tolerance for them as they know not what they do. I know this can get a bit strained at times when their sole intention is to disrupt and provoke in such a way as to appear to be in the right.”
by Peter, Yorks
Thursday, March 26 2009, 12:02PM
“Aerial surveillance by whom?
So anyone who thinks they may spot someone's indiscretions or illegal activities is entitled to fly about overhead in thier autogiro or balloon or fly a remote controlled drone to spy at will?
What on earth are you suggesting.?
What sort of society do you want to live in?
It is a road to anarchy if holier than thou do gooders push their luck trying to be little tin pot vigilantes snooping and spying.”
by Peter Guy, West Yorkshire
Thursday, March 26 2009, 10:58AM
“I've read some pretty appalling stuff from those opposed to hunting in the past, but I think this is just about the most ignorant and insensitive of the lot.
To suggest that hunt followers are to blame for the tragic death of Trevor Morse is crass in the extreme. Fortunately we have the courts to decide who was responsible for this alleged murder.
The self appointed vigilantes who call themselves "monitors" in a bid to appear official need to understand that the police are the only organisation charged with enforcing criminal law in this country.”