(UK-Europe) Arrests in animal extremism raids

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Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/6610429.stm

 

Arrests in animal extremism raids

 

Thirty-two people have been arrested for alleged animal rights

extremism after raids across the UK and Europe.

 

About 700 police officers and support staff were involved in the early

morning operation at addresses in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.

 

Police say the raids were one of the largest operations against animal

rights extremists in the UK.

 

The 15 men and 17 women arrested are being questioned at several

undisclosed police stations.

 

Map of animal rights raids in the UK

 

Eight people were arrested in raids at seven addresses in Hampshire.

 

There were 21 other addresses raided in Berkshire, Kent, Lancashire,

London, Merseyside, Northumbria, Oxford, Surrey, Sussex,

Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Glasgow and Aberdare, south Wales from 0530

BST.

 

Two unnamed locations in the Netherlands and one in Belgium were also

raided but no arrests were made.

 

Police say the " substantial operation " targeted burglary, conspiracy

to blackmail, and offences against animal research operations.

 

The extremists' targets included Huntingdon Life Sciences in

Cambridgeshire, officers said.

 

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard, of Kent Police, who

commanded the operation, said: " In recent years, animal rights

extremists have conducted sustained campaigns of harassment and

intimidation against the animal research industry, seeking to achieve

their objectives by creating a climate of fear.

 

" Although the vast majority of animal rights protesters campaign

lawfully, a small minority seeks to force change through criminal action. "

 

Aisling Burnand, chief executive of the BioIndustry Association (BIA),

said: " News of today's operation will act as a great fillip to the

medical research community across Europe.

 

" Recent efforts of the police, government and judiciary have resulted

in a significant decline in the incidence of animal rights extremism

and are much welcomed by the UK's bioscience community. "

 

Minimise disruption

 

Mr Leppard said the operation focused on the south-east of England,

because that was where extremist activity was concentrated.

 

Action was being taken to minimise any disruption caused by the raids,

he added.

 

One of the locations raided was Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre in

Ince Blundell, Merseyside.

 

Centre manager Dave Calendar, who says they have " nothing to hide " ,

accused the police of " heavy-handed tactics " .

 

Merseyside Police rejected claims that any injuries had been caused

during the raid.

 

The operation is ongoing and no one has yet been charged.

 

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