Masked saboteurs disrupt Glorious Twelfth grouse shoot

A gang of 30 hunt saboteurs launched a coordinated attack on a grouse shoot in the Forest of Bowland on the Glorious Twelfth, surrounding and intimidating a group of mostly retirement-age men engaged in walked-up shooting.

The syndicate of 10 shooters, accompanied by four working dogs, had been walking the moorland for 90 minutes when masked protesters from the Hunt Saboteurs Association emerged from high ground, waving banners and shouting abuse before descending to surround them.

A source from the shoot told Shooting Times exclusively: “We’re just older gentlemen walking rough bog and heather to preserve a centuries-old tradition whilst supporting our mental health. Our impact is minimal – we hadn’t shot for two years due to poor breeding seasons. We only operate when conservation assessments confirm sustainable bird numbers.”

Syndicate stands firm under pressure from saboteurs

Despite deliberate provocation tactics designed to elicit angry responses for social media, the shooters maintained remarkable composure. Saboteurs, equipped with body cams, attempted to wind up participants through personal jibes, with some trying to goad members into confrontation, clearly hoping to capture inflammatory footage.

“It was intimidating having people dressed like militants with just their eyes visible, waving banners and surrounding us,” the source explained. “Some were making personal attacks, but we kept the conversation civil. When they realised they couldn’t provoke any reaction, they became visibly frustrated and bored.”

Calls for stronger police action

A spokesperson for BASC commented: “The UK has the tools to deal with shoot-day disruption, aggravated trespass, Public Order offences, face-covering removal powers, and both criminal and civil harassment routes (including injunctions). What’s missing isn’t laws so much as consistent use of them.

“Police need solid evidence on the day and clear thresholds. The priority should be better enforcement and guidance, early liaison with rural crime teams, rapid 999 reports of aggravated trespass, systematic filming, and (for repeat offenders) landowner injunctions/restraining orders rather than looking at new offences and enforcement.”

Roger Seddon, Countryside Alliance shooting campaign manager, condemned the incident and echoed BASC with the need for greater enforcement: “The disruption of legal activity on private property is aggravated trespass – a criminal offence. Saboteurs who disrupt shooting show themselves as totally ignorant of the huge benefits shooting brings to the countryside.”

“The government is passing legislation to increase police powers preventing disruptive protestors from concealing their identity. However, existing powers and those proposed are only useful if police actually implement them.”

Police attended the scene but no arrests were made. According to the saboteurs’ social media posts, they were stopped by police for routine checks of their vehicles before going on to disrupt another shoot near Kettlewell.

Jurisdictional issues

Shooting Times contacted both North Yorkshire Police and Lancashire Police for comment on the Forest of Bowland incident. Each said it was a matter for the other, presumably due to the shoot’s proximity to the boundary – a jurisdictional issue that could delay effective police response for rural shoots.

However, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Our Rural Policing Task Force maintains regular engagement with farmers, landowners, and gamekeepers to address rural crime and tackle ongoing issues within the community. During the grouse shooting season, officers will continue to carry out high-visibility patrols to respond swiftly to any incidents and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

“We ask all those involved, whether participating in shooting activities or exercising their right to protest, to act within the law and treat others with respect. If any concerns arise, please remain calm, avoid confrontation, and contact North Yorkshire Police on 101. For remote locations, using a location app such as What3words can greatly assist our officers in reaching you quickly. In emergencies where there is a threat to life, always call 999.

“North Yorkshire Police is committed to supporting lawful activity while safeguarding the rights, safety and wellbeing of all members of the public.”

BASC and the Countryside Alliance offer practical advice for shoot managers in the instance of disruption from saboteurs.

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