Early last Wednesday morning what is believed to be the largest ever criminal investigation in the UK associated with fox hunting and focused on animal welfare launched its first raids.

Acting on intelligence police from Kent, Norfolk, Sussex and Thames Valley forces and RSPCA officers visited a number of addresses at hunt kennels and homes belonging to those who use dogs for hunting. Six men have been arrested and questioned by police and 22 dogs seized and removed.

The RSPCA say it was a “large scale operation across several counties looking into alleged animal welfare and wildlife offences”.

The dogs “who were mostly terriers and some lurchers – have now been placed in RSPCA care. Other supporting evidence was also seized by police”.

This is a very large and significant operation which is likely to have huge ramifications for hunting in the UK. We will be blogging much more on it as investigations continue and expand in light of further evidence which obtained during the raids.

The excellent Rupert Evelyn from ITV News has his usual extensive coverage here.