Dawn swoop by police in Vale

Officers from Cambridgeshire Police, assisted by West Mercia and West Midlands police, arrested four people in different towns just after 5am yesterday (Wednesday).

They also executed a search warrant in Evesham to search a factory unit. The location of this unit is not being released by police but is believed to be in the Craycombe area of the town.

All four people were arrested on suspicion of inciting criminal damage, inciting grievous bodily harm and inciting harassment.

The 28-year-old man was arrested from Evesham with a 33-year-old woman and 32-year-old man arrested in Coventry and a 31-year-old woman, thought to be from Evesham, who was arrested in Cambridge.

None has been named. They were all taken to Cambridgeshire by police where they were being questioned yesterday (Wednesday).

Catherine Feast, Cambridgeshire police press officer said: "Officers also executed a search warrant at a factory in Evesham where a quantity of paraphernalia relating to animal rights movements was seized."

Police have not released details of all the items seized, but they included animal rights group newsletters and other documents.

West Mercia police press officer Allen Peach said he did not know how many officers were involved in the operation and said: "The operation was led by Cambridgeshire but we provided whatever assistance was necessary."

The arrests and search were made in connection with offences suspected to have been incited against employees and associates of animal research laboratories across Cambridgeshire.

Police had until 5am this morning (Thursday) to decide whether to charge the four people or release them.

n Cambridgeshire is home to biotechnology company Imutran which is highlighted on several animal rights' websites as being involved in genetic engineering research.

Animal rights groups including Animal Rights Cambridge and Animal, People and the Environment have held several demonstrations at Imutran in the past.