HL Deb 16 November 2004 vol 666 cc139-40WA
Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many persons have been charged with illegal acts against (i) persons; and (ii) scientific and research establishments from the following organisations:

  1. (a) London Animal Action;
  2. (b) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals;
  3. (c) Stop Primate Experiments at Cambridge; and
  4. (d) Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty. [HL4913]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

I understand from the police that in the first 10 months of 2004 there were 187 arrests of animal rights activists compared with 98 arrests during the same period in 2003. It is not possible from the information collected centrally by the Home Office to ascertain how many of those arrested were subsequently charged with any offence, or to which groups they are affiliated. We are working with police and the Crown Prosecution Service to implement processes to collect arrest, charging and conviction data in relation to offences related to animal rights extremism which will provide more comprehensive information in future.

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