Police have issued a formal warning to a hunt group following allegations of anti-social behaviour and trespass.
The Community Protection Warning (CPW) was handed to the group by the Rural Affairs team at Devon and Cornwall Police on January 15.
The force has not named the hunt group nor its location, but they are believed to be based in Devon and Cornwall.
The CPW is a formal, written notice issued by police warning individuals about behaviour which is believed to be causing unreasonable and/or persistent disruption to the community, and is the first of its kind issued to a hunt by the force.
Superintendent Emma Butler-Jones, the force lead for hunting at Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "Last week, we issued a Community Protection Warning notice to a Hunt, following several reports of anti-social behaviour and trespass over the past 11 months.
"I want to be clear that there is no place for illegal hunting in Devon and Cornwall.
"I hope that the issuing of this notice sends a clear message to hunt groups that anti-social behaviour, trespassing on private land or any other illegal activity will not be tolerated.
"I also hope this provides reassurance to those affected by the actions of hunt groups, and our rural communities, that we take all reports of illegal hunting seriously."
The notice requires the hunt to follow specific conditions, including notifying local police in advance of trail hunting activity, hunt meets, or training events.
Other requirements include keeping hounds under close control at all times and obtaining written permission from landowners before entering private property.
The hunt group must also avoid blocking or causing disruption on highways and must not cause nuisance, annoyance, harm or distress (through words or actions) to any member of the public or employees of Devon & Cornwall Police.
Failure to comply with the CPW could lead to further legal action, including a stricter Community Protection Notice or prosecution.
The notice comes after 11 months of complaints related to the hunt’s activities.
Anyone who has witnessed illegal hunting activity or anti-social behaviour (such as trespass, harassment or hounds out of control) is encouraged to report it to the police by filling in a form on the force website or by calling 101.
Fox hunting was banned by the Labour government in 2004; now the current government has pledged to ban trail hunting.
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