WANTED: North Yorkshire Police searching for three members of Sinnington Hunt

Men accused of illegally interfering with a badger sett

North Yorkshire Police are appealing to the public for information about three members of the Sinnington Hunt. The men are accused of interfering with a badger sett which is illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act.

The police asked:

"Can you help with this wildlife crime investigation? We need to trace these three men following a serious case of badger sett interference. It happened in Nunnington, between Malton and Helmsley. Police enquiries are under way and we believe the men pictured may have information that could help.

If you recognise them or have any other information, please email Jeremy.Walmsley@northyorkshire.police.uk or call us on 101 and ask for Jeremy Walmsley. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12230203266 when passing on information."

Routinely blocking setts

Calder Valley Sabs stated that the men in question are members of the Sinnington Hunt. The sabs said:

"Hunts routinely block up badger setts to prevent foxes escaping down them, and dig out the setts when they do."

Just a couple of days earlier, the same sabs discovered a blocked sett when they were sabbing the Zetland Hunt. That time the sabs reported that the police said they would look into it "if they had time". And Protect the Wild regularly reports on other hunts blocking setts (see here or here, for example). Very occasionally, hunt terriermen are prosecuted and found guilty of these crimes.

A barbaric hunt

As for the Sinnington, we have previously written about how its hunt members are perpetrators of anti-social and criminal acts, including illegal hunting, badger persecution and traffic offences. In October 2023, covert footage was published, showing Sinnington huntsman, Tom Cranage, throwing dead rabbits into woods to provide food for foxes. Remains of deer, rabbits, and pigeons were also found in the Habton Whin covert in North Yorkshire. The Sinnington huntsman’s intention was clear: to attract and maintain a fox population to hunt in the area.

The Sinnington is renowned for purchasing woods, or coverts, in order to keep the fox population high for hunting. Back in 2021, York Anti-Hunt League wrote on Facebook that the hunt was buying up land to attract foxes.

Ban the Sinnington Hunt

Despite its criminal activities, the hunt is due to parade on council land this Boxing Day. Protect the Wild has teamed up with Action Against Foxhunting to campaign for councils to ban hunts from meeting in towns this Christmas. Boxing Day parades are big PR stunts for hunts - and the Sinnington will be using the day to try to convince the public that it is a quaint, law-abiding hunt, harmlessly following 'rural traditions'.

Join us in asking Kirkbymoorside Town Council to take a public stand against the hunt. There is plenty of evidence to show that the Sinnington is routinely breaking the law. This latest appeal by the police indicates yet again how the hunt is so driven by bloodlust that it will stop at nothing to kill foxes.

• If you know the men in the photo, please contact North Yorkshire Police by emailing Jeremy.Walmsley@northyorkshire.police.uk or calling the police on 101 and asking for Jeremy Walmsley. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You should quote reference number 12230203266 when passing on information.

• Please sign our petition to Kirkbymoorside Town Council, encouraging it to put an end to the Sinnington Hunt’s Boxing Day PR event.

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