Tens of thousands of hunt supporters turned out to cheer out the men and women in pink today as the first Boxing Day hunts since the national ban on foxhunting with hounds produced what appeared set to be record crowds.

An estimated 4,000 supporters gathered at Worcester Lodge at Didmarton in Gloucestershire to see off the famous Beaufort Hunt, which has been joined in the past by the Prince of Wales and his two sons.

Two thousand more watched the pink-jacketed members of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt set out from Winslow in Buckinghamshire.

In villages and market towns across the country, thousands more cheered out their local hunts, defying attempts to kill off the sport ten months into the hunting ban.

Although all concerned said that the hunts were respecting the letter of the new Hunting Act, shooting foxes flushed out by birds of prey or using only two dogs instead of a full pack, The Times reported this morning that police chiefs are demanding new powers to tackle illegal hunting.

It reported that Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, is being urged to give officers a right of access on private land to check hunting activity and make arrests. Police also want hunting crimes to be "recordable offences", allowing forces to keep track of persistent offenders.

The call for more controls was revealed in an interview with Nigel Yeo, Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex and the public order spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), who advises forces on how to police the hunting ban.

Mr Yeo has already been asked by the Home Office for his early comments on the new Hunting Act and its enforcement. This follows concerns from the League Against Cruel Sports that police are taking a "soft approach" to upholding the Act even though it believes there is widespread flouting of the ban.

"The League would argue there is more activity of hunting on private land and not in the public view. I think that is right," Mr Yeo said.

"There is no power of entry for police in the Act though there is a power of entry to seize items connected with hunting. There is not a power of entry to see what is going on or even to effect an arrest. Unless we have permission from the landowner we can’t go on private land as of right to effect an arrest.

"We (Acpo) have made the observation to Government that that right is not there and it could be an impediment on occasions."

He added: "I don’t know if this was an oversight or if a view was taken in Government that they did not wish to give us an unfettered right of access. It is a serious step and this country takes privacy very seriously."

At Winslow, entire families donned Wellingtons and waterproof jackets and braved the murky conditions to send the 160-strong hunt out to chase a scent line instead of a fox in accordance with guidelines laid down by the new laws.

Supporters described the atmosphere as "very friendly", and only two anti-hunt supporters were seen in the crowd.

Caroline Black, 64, said: "This is the first time in 35 years that I have not gone out with the hunt. They're following a line but it's so cold-blooded it makes you want to cry.

"People have come out to show their support though. Last year we had 1,000 supporters on foot, and this year we have 2,000. That shows how people feel."

Robert Valance, the hunt secretary, said that the hunt would be watched closely by Thames Valley police and urged hunters to hunt within the law.

Meanwhile, the world's oldest surviving hunt club, the Cheshire Hunt, was out in force for the first traditional Boxing Day meet since the ban. Founded in 1762, the club of around 80 horsemen and women in traditional red or black tunics, paraded in the village of Tarporley, Cheshire, before setting off to hunt foxes.

Hundreds of local supporters lined the streets to cheer and clap, although to comply with the law the riders were accompanied by just two hounds and a European eagle owl. These will be used to hunt down the foxes in the countryside outside the village, and once found the fox will be killed by being shot.

Stephen O'Brien, the local Tory MP, addressed the hunters and supporters before they set off. He said: "In the light of legislation, hunts are quite rightly looking carefully to ensure they comply with the law and carry on with the traditions which exemplify the very highest values within our rural and village communities.

"Ten months after the ban, it's wonderful to have them in the hearts of our community. It is a tremendous turn-out."

Around 60 people on horseback and 1,000 people on foot turned up to support the East Devon Hunt ride out from ancient Woodbury Castle. The huntsmen set off from the castle, an Iron Age hill fort constructed before the Romans invasion of Britain, at 11am.

Michael Moore, one of the hunt's joint masters, said the Hunting Act had no impact on the turn out today.

He said: "As far as today is concerned there has been no impact at all from the ban. Everybody is cheerful and supportive. It's about the same turn out as normal. Last year was a record year when they knew the ban was coming and this year is no different."

He said supporters ranged from the oldest at 78 to the youngest aged five.
Mike Hobday, head of public affairs for the League Against Cruel Sports, said:

"Overall the impression we get is that turn-out is high. What's more difficult to judge is the reason for that.

"We are getting reports of a number of people who are saying they wouldn't have turned out for the hunt if they were chasing foxes and they thought animal cruelty was going to be involved.

"There's a whole group of people in the countryside who don't believe in cruelty, who don't believe it is right to chase foxes and who are free for the first time to get involved with hunts."

But Mr Hobday said anyone waiting for the hunting ban to be lifted "should prepare for a long wait".

He added: "We don't believe there is any mood amongst the public to think that chasing and abusing animals for entertainment is acceptable for a modern society."

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