Police hold animal rights protesters

Huntingdon Life Sciences has been targetted by protesters

Eighty-seven people have been arrested after the offices of two pharmaceutical companies were damaged during a protest by animal rights protesters.

More than 100 people converged on the Bayer building in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, in a co-ordinated demonstration, Thames Valley Police said.

Dozens dressed in black and wearing balaclavas gathered at the offices, which are believed to house a research laboratory.

We treat incidents of this kind with the utmost seriousness

Steve Love, Thames Valley Police

Ground floor windows were smashed, cabinets were turned over and machinery wrecked.

A similar attack occurred at the Horlicks factory, owned by the GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical company in Slough, Berkshire.

A group which campaigns against the drug testing company Huntingdon Life Sciences has claimed responsibility for the attacks and several other demonstrations.

Major investigation

A police spokeswoman said officers were alerted to the Bayer incident when demonstrators set off an alarm by breaking in.

Assistant chief constable Steve Love, of Thames Valley Police, said: "We treat incidents of this kind with the utmost seriousness and have responded robustly.

"A major investigation will follow and we will do everything necessary to bring charges against those involved."

There were also demonstrations in Frimley, Surrey, and on the Berkshire border near Windlesham.

A spokeswoman for Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty said the campaign group was behind the attacks.

Customers targeted

Heather James said protesters had targeted customers of Huntingdon Life Sciences that refused to boycott the drug testing company.

The group had contacted dozens of firms and gave them the results of their undercover investigations into the company before planning the raids.

Ms James said: "They are being targeted now and will be targeted from now on. They certainly know they have been demonstrated against today."

SHAC said its campaigners also staged a demonstration at a Monsanto director's home in Cobham, Surrey.