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Thirty held over animal extremism Thirty held over animal extremism
(about 2 hours later)
Thirty people have been arrested for alleged animal rights extremism in dawn raids across the UK and Europe. Thirty people have been arrested for alleged animal rights extremism in raids across the UK and Europe.
About 300 police officers executed warrants at 30 addresses across the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. About 300 police officers were involved in the operation at 30 addresses in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The warrants are part of a joint investigation into suspected criminal activity associated with animal rights extremism, said a police spokeswoman. Police say the raids are part of a joint investigation into suspected criminal activity associated with animal rights extremism.
Suspects were taken to undisclosed police stations across the UK and will be interviewed later.Suspects were taken to undisclosed police stations across the UK and will be interviewed later.
Raids took place in Berkshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Greater London, Merseyside, Worcestershire, Northumbria and Yorkshire, Lancashire and Surrey. 'Substantial operation'
Special Branch officers raided Freshfields animal rescue centre in Ince Blundell on Merseyside as part of the investigation. Raids took place in Berkshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Greater London, Merseyside, Worcestershire, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Surrey. There were also operations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The properties raided are continuing. Officers have been working with the local communities to minimise any disruption.
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: 		Police described it as a "substantial operation".
A spokesman said: "The warrants have been obtained as part of an ongoing investigation into criminal activity associated with animal rights extremism.
"The people arrested are all suspected of being involved in criminal activity associated with animal rights extremism."
One of the locations raided was Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre in Merseyside.
Owners of the centre, who say 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.
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.
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