AN ETHICAL Chester cosmetics store has been fighting for the rights of animals by staging a dramatised hunt.
Staff members at Lush on Foregate Street dressed up as police officers, foxes and animal rights protesters to highlight the upcoming police commissioner elections and preventable wildlife crime.
The dramatisation, supported by the Hunt Saboteurs Association, highlighted the group’s fears police will turn a blind eye to wildlife crime, while surveying and intimidating animal rights, environmental and peace activists.
Staff dressed as foxes were chased by others dressed as police and staff dressed as red coats – creating a hunt on the high street.
The manager of Lush Chester, Catrin Barker, said: “We believe that, like us, most of the British public would feel money is better spent protecting animals from cruelty, death and extinction, instead of gathering evidence on peace protests and environmental camps.
“When the newly-elected police commissioners are setting budgets and priorities, they should reflect the concerns of the public and society they serve.”
Helen Ascott, of the Hunt Saboteurs Association, said: “It is shocking wildlife crime is such a low policing priority, 76% of the public supports the ban on hunting and yet, week after week we face hunts who are hunting illegally.
“It is madness to spend money on policing sabs (saboteurs) when the real law breakers are getting away with it and we hope the incoming police commissioners will take on board the public’s concerns.”
The National Wildlife Crime unit has 15 staff and an annual budget of £397,000. This is compared to 100 staff from three national police units responsible for combating domestic extremism.
