Suffolk police are investigating allegations of offences committed under the Hunting Act following an incident at the Great Thurlow Hunt near Haverhill.

Officers from Suffolk police’s Rural Crime Team were called to reports of an incident between a hunt group and hunt monitors in Trundley Wood, off Bury Road, at around 2pm today, Tuesday, December 26.

Police say they are currently investigating an alleged hunting offence, under the Hunting Act 2004, and an allegation of common assault following the incident.

A spokesman for the Thurlow Hunt confirmed a fox had been killed by a pack of hounds but claimed the animal had been turned into the pack’s path by a group of animal rights activists while the hunt were legally trail-hunting.

Inspector Jo Garrard, from Suffolk Police, urged witnesses to the incident to come forward.

She said: “We take these reports seriously and are conducting an investigation into the circumstances around this incident.

“The investigation is progressing and the alleged offences are being investigated by officers in the Suffolk Rural Crime Unit. “Officers are in the process of collating evidence and identifying, contacting and taking statements from individuals at the scene.

“There were a large number of people in attendance and we would like to appeal to any individuals who may have left the scene, but have not yet come forward, to contact us.

“We are keen to identify and gather all available evidence which may assist the investigation.”

Suffolk police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any evidence, such as video footage, to contact the Rural Crime Team on 101, quoting crime reference number 37/81608/17.