Animal rights extremists targeted

Five laboratory staff had their cars firebombed recently

The government is considering whether to change the law to give the police more powers to stop animal rights extremists attacking people who work in research laboratories.

Home Secretary Jack Straw told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that such laboratory staff were decent people doing legitimate jobs.

Many of us would not be able to lead healthy lives were it not for the pharmaceutical companies being able to test their drugs on animals

Jack Straw

The announcement follows a number of recent attacks. On Monday, fire bombs exploded under the cars of five employees who work at a research centre in Cambridgeshire.

The Animal Liberation Front, however, said that any extention of police powers was unnecessary because existing laws were more than adequate.

'Preposterous'

Mr Straw said the police wanted new powers to tackle the problem.

"We are looking at whether there are changes in legislation that we can take which are being sought by the police to see whether we can strengthen action against these animal rights extremists," he said.

Huntingdon Life Sciences - targeted by extremists

"The action they have been taking against employees and directors of life science companies has been absolutely preposterous.

"It is terrible what has happened to some of those employees. These are law abiding people doing a job on behalf of the rest of us.

"It is worth bearing in mind that many of us ourselves would not be able to lead healthy lives were it not for the pharmaceutical companies being able to test their drugs on animals," he said.

'Over the top'

Robin Webb, spokesman for the Animal Liberation Front, said that the proposed powers were unnecessary.

"I really don't see how any further legislation can help. There are already laws in place such as those relating to criminal damage and harassment.

"The sentencing powers are also in place, so this seems completely over the top," he said.

Mr Webb added that the government had backed down on animal welfare: "When they came into power they promised a whole raft of changes on animal rights issues but nothing has changed."

'Urban terrorism'

The recent attacks in Cambridgeshire prompted a senior policeman in the county to describe those responsible as "urban terrorists".

Five cars belonging to staff from the Huntingdon Life Sciences laboratory, the largest in Europe, were set on fire with home-made petrol bombs in Godmanchester near Huntingdon.

No-one was hurt but two cars were destroyed and the others suffered extensive damage.

Chief Superintendent David Auton said the incident marked a worrying escalation and warned that unless such attacks were stopped, police might soon be launching murder investigations.