Less but more intense animal extremism

While the first six months of 2005 have seen a decline in the number of attacks by animal extremists, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has pointed out 'a worrying increase' in the severity of some attacks.

The figures show a sharp drop over the spectrum of animal extremist activity, with only 35 cases of damage to private property, compared with 56 in the same period in 2004 and a further 52 in the second half of 2004. Damage to company property also declined, with a drop from 29 cases in the same period last year to just two this year, and the number of home visits fell from 110 to 34.

'While the reduction in the number of incidents is welcome, it is disturbing that, in some cases we are seeing more aggressive attacks taking place,' said Dr Philip Wright, director of Science and Technology at the ABPI. 'In particular, we are seeing cases where incendiary devices have been attached to cars, which is a very worrying change of tactics.

'However, the figures indicate that Government's commitment to tackling the problem of extremism is starting to pay off, and we hope that both the commit-ment and the drop in incidents continue. At the same time, the number of legal demonstrations has re-mained at the same level, so the right of people to protest in normal, democratic ways has not been compromised.'