CUMBRIA Police are to continue monitoring hunting activities across the county in 2014.

Since the introduction of the Hunting Act in 2004, Cumbria Police say they have consistently received reports of illegal hunting and suspicious activity.

They have also had complaints about associated offences including intimidation and harassment, assault, public order, obstruction of the highway and driving offences.

The Hunting Act made it illegal to hunt a wild animal with a dog, with certain exceptions.

Trail/ drag hunting, was introduced to replace the hunting of foxes by dogs.

Cumbria Constabulary will liaise with non-government organisations which hold views on the Hunting Act and liaise with agencies such as the National Trust, Lake District National Park and United Utilities, who are the major landowners and operate a licensing system to allow trail or drag hunting activity under their own protocol and procedures.

Officers will be deployed to carry out high visibility patrols at various meetings throughout the season, making use of overt recording equipment.