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| Arrests in animal extremism raids | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. | |
| 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. | |
| Although the vast majority of animal rights protesters campaign lawfully, a small minority seeks to force change through criminal action ACC Adrian Leppard | Although the vast majority of animal rights protesters campaign lawfully, a small minority seeks to force change through criminal action ACC Adrian Leppard |
| Police say the "substantial operation" targeted burglary, conspiracy to blackmail, and offences against animal research operations. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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." | "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 | Minimise disruption |
| Mr Leppard said the operation focused on the south-east of England, because that was where extremist activity was concentrated. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | Merseyside Police rejected claims that any injuries had been caused during the raid. |
| The operation is ongoing and no one has yet been charged. | The operation is ongoing and no one has yet been charged. |
Have you witnessed any of the raids this morning? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below: | Have you witnessed any of the raids this morning? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |