§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prosecutions for causing explosions, criminal damage etc have been brought in respect of animal liberation groups in the last five years; how many resulted in convictions; and whether they are satisfied with the level of co-operation between police forces with the purpose of preventing such crimes. [HL2608]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe numbers of incidents and arrests reported by police forces were:
123WA
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Incidents 907 727 800 935 1,200 Arrests 820 780 848 925 1,020 Most of these involved public order offences and/or minor criminal damage but a small number were more serious.
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Use of incendiary devices 36 15 12 10 6 Arson (without device) 14 2 0 5 8 It is not possible to provide authoritative information on criminal proceedings.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has arranged for all police intelligence to be collated, assessed and disseminated by a National Public Order Intelligence Unit and, in addition, the appointment by ACPO of a national co-ordinator ensures a free flow of information between forces and consistency of approach in combating serious criminal activities of extremists.