100 terror attacks on animal lab staff

Animal rights extremists have launched more than 100 terrifying attacks on the homes of laboratory workers this year, it emerged today.

In night-time raids, cars were smashed on driveways and Animal Liberation Front graffiti was daubed on front doors and walls.

The victims all worked for Huntingdon Life Sciences, the company at the centre of a four-year campaign of violence and intimidation.

The scale of the hate campaign was disclosed by HLS managing director Brian Cass as the Government unveiled proposals to curb extremists.

Mr Cass, who was beaten by three masked thugs with baseball bats three years ago, welcomed the moves but warned the clampdown would fail without extra money for policing.

He estimated between 100 and 150 HLS employees have been targeted in the past 12 months despite an injunction banning protests at their homes. He said: "The most harrowing part, and the activists know this, is when you take it to someone's home and family, particularly when there are young children involved."

The proposals include: