Animal rights activity on the increase
Animal rights activists stepped up their activity in 2008 according to new figures.
Animal rights activists stepped up their activity in 2008 according to new figures.
There was a 75% rise in incidents of damage to company, personal and public property and an increase in the number of demonstrations.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) figures came as seven activists were jailed for a six-year blackmailing campaign that involved vandalising cars and homes.
The activists were members of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), which targets companies with links to Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). They received sentences of between four and 11 years at Winchester Crown Court on January 21.
The ABPI figures showed 70 incidents of damage to company, personal and public property last year, as well as 450 unadvertised and 258 advertised demonstrations. Figures for 2007 were 40 incidents of damage, 368 unadvertised and 257 advertised demonstrations.
SHAC continues to arrange demonstrations against HLS suppliers and shareholders in spite of the sentences.
On a positive note, the ABPI figures showed the lowest level of attacks on people's homes by activists since records began in 2002. Ten directors or employees of companies were targeted in 2008. The level of incidents peaked at 259 in 2003.
ABPI director Philip Wright said: "One attack is one too many. It is vitally important that police and Government maintain the pressure if the UK is continue to be a leader in this field of research."