Hunt Supporters Smash Sab Vehicle

Followers of the South Down & Eridge, with East Sussex & Romney Marsh hunt attacked a stranded Hunt Sab vehicle on New Years Day. One member of South Coast Hunt Saboteurs was hospitalised, and the vehicle was left with all but one of its windows smashed.

The vehicle was parked in Herstmonceaux village outside All Saints Church, with a flat tyre after breaking down. Sabs felt safe there, as it was a busy spot, with people frequently walking by, and in view of houses.

“It was definitely a premeditated attack, our vehicle was seen to be vulnerable. Ivan Massow, ex-hunt staff and follower, saw us broken down, and within the hour we were targeted. I felt safe there, outside the church, with dog walkers passing every 10 minutes. I though maybe they’d smash a wing mirror, but not this.” – Simon, East Coast Hunt Saboteurs.

The four masked men approached the vehicle, after a tip of from hunt followers that it was broken down, and unable to get away. Three sabs were waiting in the vehicle, and locked themselves in as the attackers approached.

“They set about a vicious attack, shouting and banging the windows. It started with them trying to crack the windows with keys, then elbows. One picked up a traffic cone, another a tyre. All but one window was broken I believe. They repeatedly punched Simon in the head. Once they’d smashed the windows, one tried unlocking Simon’s door, he said he was going to stab him.” – Spokesperson from East Surrey Hunt Sabs

At this point a security guard from the Herstmonceux Estate appeared, and the 4 men fled the scene. Police were called, and attended, along with an ambulance which took Simon to hospital with bruising and a head injury.

“I truly believe if the security man hadn’t come over when he did, Simon would have got killed. I was scared we were all going to die at the hands of these thugs.” – Spokesperson from East Surrey Hunt Sabs.

“A security guard turned up as they were dragging me out of the car. If that bloke hadn’t turned up I’d have been on the floor but because he turned up I wasn’t dragged out and kicked, just punched repeatedly.” – Simon, East Coast Hunt Saboteurs

A Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson said:

“Hunting is an activity based on inflicting harm, and as such it is not surprising it attracts people who, when challenged, react with violence and intimidation, Christmas time, and the New Year seem to be the worst for this. Hunts are seeing their supporter numbers diminish, and feeling the effects of being sabotaged week after week, so they are taking their frustration out on us.

You can see how much the individuals here enjoyed their sustained attack, moving around the vehicle hitting different windows and getting some sick satisfaction out of causing distress, in the same way they do when chasing a fox. We are not surprised by violence like this, we are appalled, but we will not be put off.”

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