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Police have received 1,600 reports of illegal hunting in five years but have arrested just 83 people and charged only 30.

That means only 5% of complaints about breaches of the 2004 Hunting Act have led to legal action, Freedom of Information requests to police forces found.

They showed 51 arrests over hare coursing and just four for fox hunting. Figures did not reveal how many prosecutions succeeded.

Animal rights campaigners have repeatedly accused officers of failing to crackdown on allegations of huntsmen and women breaching the law.

The League Against Cruel Sports demanded more police action and a tougher law.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Campaigns director Chris Luffingham said: “These alarming figures indicate the sheer scale of brutal and illegal huntingactivity still taking place across the British countryside 13 years after the ban came into force.

“Foxes and hares are being literally torn to pieces by packs of hounds while exhausted deer are being chased for hours on end before being shot.

“The Mirror’s figures indicate that 95% of those allegedly hunting illegally get away with it so we need the police to put more resources and develop their expertise to properly tackle wildlife crime.

(Image: AFP)

“We need to strengthen the Hunting Act and introduce prison sentences for those convicted of illegal hunting as we need a strong deterrent.

“Currently those who enjoy killing animals for fun get away with a slap on the wrist and are simply fined and then back out hunting the following day.”

Police chiefs said reports were often invalid or “inadequate” but forces were working to improve prosecution rates.

The 2004 Hunting Act banned the chasing of wild animals, including hares, stags and foxes, by two dogs or more.

It came into force in February 2005 and polls consistently show it enjoys support of about 80% of voters.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Details included in the responses revealed that 51 arrests were for alleged hare coarsing, 18 arrests were for suspected deer hunting, six for allegations of rabbit hunting and just four for suspected illegal fox hunting.

National Police Chiefs’ Council hunting spokesman, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Netherton, said: “Police forces receive a large number of reports of illegal hunting activity.

“Unfortunately many of these reports are invalid and the evidence supplied to forces is often inadequate, meaning that police officers are unable to take action.

(Image: Flickr RF/Getty Images)

“We are committed to cracking down on illegal hunting and want to help improve the quality of evidence submitted to police forces.

“We are working with the League Against Cruel Sports to achieve this and using their guidance to help protest groups to provide usable evidence.

“Officers will be undertaking up-to-date training on how to effectively respond to illegal hunting and we are working with the Crown Prosecution Service in an effort to improve prosecution rates.”