VIDEO: Gravesend gang accused of 'cruel' urban fox hunting

Elite Venue in Dunkirk Close has reportedly been targeted by the group several times, most recently on Sunday (July 12) when manager Victoria Gillham called the police.

Ms Gillham has since released CCTV footage, which shows a mob of men prowling the venue's grounds with torches and four dogs.

She claims the men are carrying lamps and black bags, possibly containing their prey, and practicing the illegal sport of 'fox lamping'.

Ms Gillham told News Shopper: "It's definitely fox lamping, with the use of lurcher dogs.

"It’s a traveller’s way of life.

"If this is going to keep happening, I am worried about the safety of my staff when they are leaving - because the dogs are hunting dogs and they are off the lead.

"They have been here a couple of nights before, because we have lots of foxes.

"I do not know if they have been back since."

Ms Gillham said the group broke in over a fence at the back of the car park, causing damage to Elite property.

She added: "To be trespassing without permission of the owner, I do not think it’s right.

"It should be controlled in a controlled environment.

"I do not want it in a family venue.

"What if you walk round the corner and a dog bites you?"

Bev Varnham, who lives near Valley Drive, said: "I do not agree with it - it's not humane, and it’s illegal as well.

"I am not a fox lover.

"My main concern was that it’s not an ethical way of doing it."

Concerns have also been expressed for the welfare of cats, in the presence of dogs who appear to be trained to hunt.

The 43-year-old added: "There is a worry about cats disappearing, because there is not much difference between the two."

Gravesend resident Kerry Hall said: "It's been going on in that area for a long time - it’s disgraceful behaviour."

The 40-year-old added: "I don't like it at all - I think it's cruel and leaving corpses laying around is spreading disease.

"It's also distressing for children to see dumped corpses."

Ms Hall said the bodies of foxes are often left at the side of the road, to suggest they have been hit by cars.

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A Kent Police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 10.49pm on Sunday, July 12 following reports of people acting suspiciously at a business premises in Dunkirk Close, Gravesend.

"The caller said she had been told that there were people on the grounds, but they were no longer there.

"When officers arrived they carried out an area search but did not find anyone.

"Safety advice was given to the caller."