§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the funding, the establishment and the location of the headquarters and other subsidiary offices of the special police unit that has been set up in respect of animal rights protestors; and if he will make a statement. [20712]
§ Mr. MacleanNo special national police unit has been established in respect of animal rights protestors. The animal rights national index, which was established in 1986 and is based at New Scotland Yard, continues to support police forces throughout the United Kingdom by gathering, assessing and disseminating intelligence about animal rights extremist activity. In addition, the Association of Chief Police Officers recently decided that the commander of the Metropolitan police anti-terrorist branch should have a co-ordinating role in respect of certain operations against animal rights extremists suspected of involvement in serious crime extending beyond individual force boundaries. This change does not involve the creation of additional posts.