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Tuesday, January 23, 2007
There were no personal assaults by animal extremists in 2006 and
big falls in abusive messages, as well as instances of damage to
property were also reported, according to figures released today
by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
These follow on from encouraging figures reported in 2005 and now
reflect a sustained downward trend in violent and intimidating animal
extremism.
There were just 20 'home visits' in 2006 - where groups of demonstrators
gather outside a family home and cause civil disturbance - compared
to 57 in 2005 and the peak of 259 in 2003.
"We are especially pleased to see a sharp fall in attacks on
people's homes," said ABPI Science & Technology Director,
Dr Philip Wright. "This behaviour is particularly intimidating
and threatening. It affects whole families, including young children,
as well as the wider community."
Crucially, however, the numbers taking part in peaceful protests
has remained constant - showing that new laws brought in to tackle
extremism have not harmed the rights of freedom of speech.
"We welcome continued effort by police to crack down on illegal
activities," said Dr Wright. "New legislation has helped,
as has some significant arrests and sentences of leading extremists.
These statistics show that extremist behaviour has been curbed but
not defeated and we have already had reports of further attacks
in the first weeks of 2007 -government efforts must be maintained.
"We have also seen indications of a displacement to mainland
Europe. The proposed amendments in the new serious crime bill that
would allow restriction of travel by organised criminals would help
in restricting the UK's currently most successful export."
The figures show the number of abusive or threatening letters and
text messages received by companies and their suppliers fell from
36 in 2005 to just six in 2006. In 2006, there were 50 instances
of damage to property compared with 86 the previous year.
Perhaps as a result, the number of "capitulations" - companies
and organisations succumbing to pressure not to work with those
involved in animal research - has also sharply declined, with 39
in 2006 compared with 103 in 2005.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Ley (office) 020 7747 1410 (mobile) 07715 169727
Matt Worrall (work) 020 7747 1441 (mobile) 07879 404306
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