Police in Great Britain today conducted a nationwide police operation at 7 a.m. local time that resulted in the arrests of four individuals, with three additional individuals being sought by police.
The suspects, three men and four women who remain unidentified at the moment, were wanted in connection with a campaign of intimidation directed at a company that anti-Huntingdon Life Sciences activists believed was providing insurance for the beleaguered animal testing firm. Police would not identify the insurance company involved.
Two women, aged 43 and 19, were arrested at separate homes in Leicester. Simultaneously police took into custody a London woman and a Nottingham man. Police are still trying to locate additional suspects in Hampshire, Lancashire, and Leicester.
National Crime Squad detective inspector Terry Pearce told the Leicester Mercury,
Although activity by animal rights extremists is usually concentrated on specific targets, the suspects are based all over the country. We are fortunate to have the support of local forces to mount these complex operations.
No word yet on when those arrested will be formally charged.
Source:
Animal Rights Group Suspects Held In Raid Ciaran Fagan, Leicester Mercury, May 15, 2002.