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Thirty held over animal extremism Thirty held over animal extremism
(30 minutes later)
Thirty people have been arrested for alleged animal rights extremism in 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 were involved in the operation at 30 addresses in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. About 700 police officers and support staff were involved in the early morning operation at 32 addresses in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Police say the raids are part of a joint investigation into suspected criminal activity associated with animal rights extremism. Police say the raids were one of the largest operations against animal rights extremists in the UK.
Suspects were taken to undisclosed police stations across the UK and will be interviewed later. Those arrested - 15 men and 15 women - will be questioned at undisclosed police stations across the UK.
'Substantial operation''Substantial operation'
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.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.
Police described it as a "substantial operation".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.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.""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. One of the locations raided was Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre in Ince Blundell, Merseyside.
Owners of the centre, who say they have "nothing to hide", accused the police of "heavy-handed tactics".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.Merseyside Police rejected claims that any injuries had been caused during the raid.

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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:
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