DESPITE rumours to the contrary, and scare stories from the Daily Mail, there have been no complaints received from the police with reference to the Caffe Nero story.

The threat was leafleting outside of shops, and this has been blown out of all proportion by some members of the press.

Also in answer to the reports of 180 police reports, and 30 crimes, it must be remembered many of these were reported by the anti-cull movement.

There were cases of women being intimidated, run at in cars, in one case run over. So to describe these as all to do with the anti-cull movement is absurd and we are sure Gloucestershire Police will be happy to back us on this.

The anti-cull movement is filled with people trying to stop animals being hurt, in our view unnecessarily, and we do not condone intimidation.

Yes many wore masks to protect their identity, mainly because they are local, and feared the backlash that may come about.

We fear that this is an orchestrated campaign designed to show us in a bad light, and to unfairly sway public opinion against what has been up to now a peaceful action.

– Drew Pratten, Gloucestershire Badger Office.