Six arrested in illegal fox-hunting investigation

Cumbria Police said one person was arrested on suspicion of possessing an unlawful firearm

Six men have been arrested as part of an investigation over illegal fox-hunting.

Cumbria Police said it made the arrests following an alleged incident at a meet of the Coniston Foxhounds in Ambleside on 8 November.

All were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and remain in police custody.

The force added one of the men had also been arrested on suspicion of possessing an unlawful firearm and warned further arrests were planned.

Three vehicles were also seized as part of the investigation.

Chief Insp Lee Skelton said the force was aware of a video circulating online and he understood "the strength of feeling this has caused within some of our communities".

"We take allegations of wildlife crime extremely seriously," he said.

He added Cumbria Police was working with the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.