Great Britain is currently working on an Antisocial Behavior Bill designed to target, among other things, animal rights extremism in Great Britain.
Two amendments to the bill were added by the Home Office designed to directly address the targeting of medical researchers and others from harassment by animal rights activists.
The first amendment, modifies a section of the Public Order Act that allows police to take special measures with public assemblies that constitute 20 or more people. The amendment reduces that number down to two. According to The Financial Times (London), some anti-HLS demonstrations specifically kept the number of protesters under 20 to make it difficult for police to take action against them.
The second amendment expands the definition of “aggravated trespass” to include the obstruction of activities within buildings.
UK science minister Lord Sainsbury told the Financial Times,
It is intolerable that people undertaking legitimate economic activities — activities required by regulatory agencies — should be subject to such high levels of harassment and abuse. . . . The situation is stable at the moment but we would like to turn things round and stop the harassment altogether.
Source:
Animal rights extremists may face tougher penalties. Clive Cookson, The Financial Times (London), June 24, 2003.