Police powers on extremists

PLANS to give police new powers to tackle animal rights extremists who demonstrate outside scientists’ homes were due to be announced by Government ministers today.

They come amid growing concern the UK economy is being harmed by the huge security cost of dealing with these campaigners. Home Secretary David Blunkett was expected to make it a specific criminal offence in England and Wales to protest outside someone’s home in an intimidating manner and an arrestable offence to return to someone’s home after being found guilty of aggressive behaviour.

The Scottish Executive said it had no plans for similar action north of the Border, where attacks by animal rights extremists have not been such a big problem.