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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 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 were one of the largest operations against animal rights extremists in the UK. | |
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 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. |
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 |