The Wiltshire Saboteurs, a group of animal rights activists attended the Avon Vale closing meet in Neston on Saturday, March 12 to campaign against hunting.
While protesting they claim they were attacked by a group of masked aggressors.
On social media, they alleged: “We faced multiple assaults by balaclava-clad thugs, sabs were driven into by quads, illegal blocking of the highway, footpaths, and illegal hunting of a fox.
"We recorded it all, as most of it happened in front of approximately 20 officers, about a dozen resources including the drone unit, helicopter, riot van, and half a dozen blue bibbed weirdos.”
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police told this newspaper: “Our policing presence at the Avon Vale hunt at Neston Park, Corsham, on Saturday (12/03) was proportionate and based on intelligence gathered prior to and during the event.
“Our primary role was to ensure public order and the safety of all those present. Our response to the hunt did not impact on the force’s ability to respond to the demand across the county.
“We have since received one complaint of assault, with no injuries disclosed, which is being investigated and no arrests have been made at this stage. Three drivers were dealt with for road traffic offences during the operation.”
This latest incident follows a brawl between hunt supporters and anti-hunt protesters at the Avon Vale Hunt meet in Lacock on December 27 when a far smaller police presence attended.
Ten official complaints about the conduct of officers at a hunt were referred to a police professional standards department.
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