There are many occasions when disruption by animal rights activists can be effectively dealt with and, in many cases, prevented. However, this requires a good understanding of the relevant law, coupled with a determination to take positive action. Disruption may range from the spontaneous and disorganised to a well planned operation. A common strategy is to incite law abiding sportspeople to over-react and fall foul of the law. Other tactics may be to spread confusion and spoil, by passive methods, the general enjoyment of the day, and make unfounded complaints to the police.
None of these threats have yet become commonplace but the following information aims to help inform anglers how to deal effectively with disruption.
GENERAL SECURITY
Most saboteur attacks on fishing have involved damage to tackle and other property. The best safeguard against this is to simply be ‘security conscious’.
- When you arrive at a destination try to park where your car will be in sight. Always lock your vehicle and lower or remove the aerial. Also, carry a foot pump in case tyres are let down.
- Make it less obvious that your car belongs to an angler – hide tackle etc.
- Keep an eye out for suspicious persons around the angling vicinity.
- Record the registration numbers of any suspect vehicles, descriptions of strangers and take note of anybody opposed to angling who writes to local papers etc.
MATCH DISRUPTION
Plans to disrupt matches often leak in advance, so treat any rumours of this sort seriously. In the event of disruption to a match in which you are involved you should -:
- Tell the match organisor at once.
- Ensure that the police are called.
- Take written and photographic evidence of the protestors where possible.
- Report the incident to the C.A. angling hotline on 07774 236101.
- Never react to provocation.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ORDER ACT 1994.
Section 68
Creates a new offence of aggravated trespass. A person will commit the offence if he/she trespasses on the land in the open air with the intention of disrupting or obstructing a lawful activity, or of intimidating another person so as to deter him from engaging in a lawful activity.
Section 69
empowers the police to direct aggravated trespassers (or people they believe are going to commit the offence) to leave the land. Failure to comply with direction will be a criminal offence. The purpose of this provision is to give the police the ability to take pre-emptive action against saboteurs. It also allows a single direction to be given to a large number of saboteurs if they have the common purpose of disrupting a lawful activity.
POINTS TO NOTE
- Aggravated Trespass can be committed on towpaths, footpaths, bridleways or by ways, but NOT on public roads. It cannot be committed in buildings. It CAN be committed ON WATER.
- The landowner does NOT have to be present for the offence to be committed or for the police to take action.
- The lawful activity DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN DISRUPTED. It is sufficient that saboteurs intend the disruption.
- Only a police officer in uniform can arrest the suspects under these provisions and only the police can direct the trespassers to leave the land, however, the police do not have to be present for the offence (under section 68) to have been committed. If good evidence is collected, prosecution can still follow.
- The penalties for committing the offence are a maximum fine of £ 2500 or up to 3 months imprisonment.
FURTHER ADVICE
Angling Hotline – 07774 236101
Countryside Alliance
367 Kennington Road
London SE11 4PT
Tel – 020 7840 9200
Fax – 020 7793 8484
