ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

Animal rights activists admitted firebombing the home of a Glaxosmithkline executive and an Oxford University building. Leapfrog Day Nurseries also said it had been threatened over a childcare scheme it ran for Huntingdon Life Sciences. The Research Defence Society warned that tougher laws had prompted a "die-hard" minority to adopt more violent tactics. In the first attack, a group calling itself the Oxford Arson Squad claimed to have planted a number of "large incendiary devices" in an empty house belonging to the university in protest at its plans to build a lab for tests on animals.

A message addressed to Oxford University read, "You cannot build the South Parks Lab without incurring massive losses. If we have to destroy every bit of property you own we will, in order to stop you inflicting your profit driven cruelties on defenceless creatures." A spokesman said the university was "appalled" by the "intimidating nature" of the online message but remained committed to building a new biomedical research facility. In the second posting, a group calling themselves Brigade G of the Animal Liberation Front claims to have detonated a device at the home of Glaxosmithkline executive Paul Blackburn in protest at his firm's links to Cambridgeshire-based Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS),the focus of an intense anti-vivisection campaign.

In a message to Glaxosmithkline, it said, "We have identified and tracked down many of your senior executives and also junior staff, as well as those from other HLS customers. Drop HLS or you will face the consequences. For all the animals inside HLS, we will be back." Leapfrog Day Nurseries said its directors received a threatening letter over a childcare voucher scheme it ran for Huntingdon Life Sciences. The company said that while threats were unacceptable the safety of staff and children in their care were paramount so had decided to withdraw the scheme. A spokesman for the police National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (Nectu) said there was an "ongoing level of animal rights activity around the country".

Dr Simon Festing, of the RDS, said the latest attacks marked a "change of style" on the part of the activists. He said, "The extremists are desperate to achieve their aims yet at the same time are under much greater pressure from the police and from new legislation." This meant tactics they had been developing were no longer effective, so a small band of die-hard extremists had switched to a more extreme approach, he added. He said, "We're at a critical time now because the government has always called it 'extremism' but it's moving closer to what might be described as 'terrorism', the old tactics of arson and things like that." (Source: BBC News)

Animal rights extremists threatened to make life a "living hell" for employees of a nursery linked to an animal testing laboratory, it has emerged. A letter was sent by the Animal Rights Militia to Leapfrog Day Nurseries because of a child care scheme for Huntingdon Life Sciences. The note said employees of the nursery would "pay the consequences" for the links. The scheme was withdrawn by the nursery to protect children and staff.

Leapfrog Day Nurseries, Britain's largest childcare provider, has 102 nurseries nationwide, with units in Beds, Bucks, Herts, Cambs, Essex and Northants. They administered a scheme for Huntingdon Life Sciences to give employees child care vouchers which can be used at any nursery. Huntingdon Life Sciences have long been targeted by anti-vivisection extremists. Supports, including the government, argue that its work is needed to prompt medical breakthroughs.

The letter read, "The company you work for is working with Huntingdon Life Sciences. This is a disgusting and cowardly act. You have a choice. You can walk away from those sick monsters or you can personally face the consequences of your decision. Not only you but your family is a target. Sever your links with HLS within two weeks or get ready for your life and the lives of those you love to become a living hell." (Source: BBC News)

Animal rights activists in the UK could face five years in jail for targeting firms linked to animal research facilities, under new government plans. The amendment to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill covers suppliers such as construction firms or cleaners working for animal research firms. Measures to stop harassment of animal research facilities and their employees are already in the bill. Campaigners say the government's proposed laws are not justified. The amended bill would make it a criminal offence to cause "economic damage" through campaigns of intimidation.

The plans already in the bill include giving police powers to arrest anyone protesting outside the homes of scientists, and the power to ban them from returning to a specified home for three months. Trade Secretary Patricia Hewittsaid, "We can't have these extremists going way beyond the bounds of peaceful protest into these vicious campaigns of intimidation which have not been stopped by individual laws."

She added, "The simple fact is attacks by animal rights extremists put medical breakthroughs in areas like Aids, cancer and Alzheimer's directly at risk." Ms Hewitt said the new law would not affect people's "important right" to peaceful protest but would "crack down hard" on extremists committing crimes. She rejected suggestions by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears that new control orders to put terror suspects under house arrest would apply to animal activists, saying it was a "completely separate issue".

Greg Avery, a spokesman for anti-vivisection pressure group Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, said, "The government is bringing in laws to protect people who murder animals. Does this mean that people who are being harassed in other walks of life, such as a woman who is being stalked, are less important?" The powers to take action against attacks on companies in the supply chain covers company employees, their relatives, business suppliers, plus charity shops and universities.

The government plans follow attacks on centres such as the Huntingdon Life Sciences and a farm in east Staffordshire where guinea pigs are bred for medical research. Medical Research Council chief executive Professor Colin Blakemore welcomed the announcement, saying, "It is essential that researchers and those working with them are able to carry out their work without fear of intimidation." (Source: BBC News)