Police officers linked to hunts will be banned from working with Wiltshire Police's rural crime team in future.

The constabulary announced on Tuesday that they had conducted an internal review after controversy surrounding the appointment of an officer.

They will now apply more "scrutiny" to police officers appointed to the unit, whilst some staffing changes have already taken place.

But, the force said it would "not be appropriate for us to comment on individual cases".

The move comes after a Facebook post announcing the arrival of PC Cheryl Knight to the rural crime team attracted criticism from the public and anti-hunt groups.

It was revealed that PC Knight had links to the Avon Vale and Beaufort Fox Hunts.

It sparked a large protest outside police HQ in Devizes last month.

Swindon Advertiser: Many people turned out to protest at Wiltshire Police HQ in Devizes over the news.Many people turned out to protest at Wiltshire Police HQ in Devizes over the news. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The statement from Wiltshire Police, released on Tuesday, said: “As with all functions of policing, we regularly review our resourcing and policing approach to ensure we can provide the best possible service to the public.

“To this end, we commissioned an internal review of our Rural Crime Team (RCT), which has resulted in us establishing a framework to ensure the suitability of our personnel working within the unit.

“The new framework will provide more scrutiny around the suitability of our officers, staff and volunteers to work within the unit. It sets out key principles to ensure staff do not have personal links to hunts past or present, do not have links to any anti-hunt groups past or present and requires staff disclose links to any rural based hobby or initiative that could potentially call into question their policing impartiality.

Swindon Advertiser: There was a clear message at the protest earlier this month.There was a clear message at the protest earlier this month. (Image: Trevor Porter)

“This has already resulted in some staffing changes although it would not be appropriate for us to comment on individual cases.

“Although it is important to stress that, to date, none of our colleagues in the unit (past or present) have been found to have breached legislation or guidance, we accept that some resourcing decisions we made as an organisation have distracted from the crucial work the team do.

“We appreciate there has been considerable public scrutiny regarding this team however, the action we have taken should reassure our communities that we will continue to police without fear or favour and, when appropriate, we will respond pragmatically to concerns when they are raised.”