The government hs stepped up its fight against animal rights protestors, indicating that it will drive through legislation aimed at preventing activists from violently intimidating staff at the UK’s research laboratories – including the Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) labs in Cambridgeshire.
As SMT went to press, HLS’ police protection bill (which now stands at GB pound 1.4 million) had been offset by a special one-off payment of GB pound 1million from the Government, although the protestors show no sign of backing off in their desire to have the laboratories closed down.
Meanwhile Guy Mathias, security manager at the beleaguered HLS labs, claims that the company has advised its staff and ex-shareholders to take a number of extra precautions against the threat of on-going harassment and ‘violent intimidation’ being posed by anti-vivisectionist groups.
Mathias said that several of the company’s staff had received unsolicited mail "magnified by a factor of 100" – including pornography – on their doormats.
Mathias added: "Technically the mail is not a threat, but it’s a distraction because it has to be treated with care, reported to police and returned. We’ve also advised HLS staff on what to do with other sinister devices which are designed to intimidate and harass. We’ve had to strike a balance of not scaring staff, but at the same time advising them about the pitfalls, what to do with telephone calls, suspect devices and the correct procedures to adopt if protestors turn up outside their homes. Staff have also received counselling for shock." Threats have been extended to people who have long since ceased to own shares in the company because protestors are obtaining names from old shareholder lists. Mathias spoke to SMT in the wake of a stepped-up campaign that’s threatening to close down the laboratory. Anti-vivisectionists have targeted 25 branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland, which loaned HLS GB pound 22.5 million.
Mathias said HLS had further enhanced physical security around the perimeter with CCTV equipment and manned guarding. Dog handlers have also been deployed on the site. "We’ve constructed large ditches around the site, both externally and internally," added Mathias. "It’s an old army tactic which adds another natural barrier." He blames the increase of public order protests on the Internet and mobile ‘phones. "The danger of the Internet is that you’ve got the capacity to organise large-scale demonstrations at the drop of a hat, and mobilise them quickly," added Mathias. "You’re also up against the portability of mobile ‘phones. They offer a certain degree of anonymity."
