Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 15 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 October 2007. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 22 October 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Animal Experiments: Protests

Question: (2) whether there have been any arrests of animal rights extremists since May;

Answer: The Home Office does not formally collect data on arrests of animal rights extremists. However, through the Government strategy to eradicate the threat from animal rights extremists there has been a number of police operations, arrests and significant convictions of animal rights extremists which has led to a corresponding fall in violent activity by these extremists.I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 10 October 2007, Official Report, column 640W, when I reiterated our commitment to eradicating the threat of animal rights extremism which is backed up by a robust interdepartmental strategy centred on an improved law enforcement approach.

Secondary information