Police chief to lead war on animal rights terror

A senior policeman is to be installed by the Government to lead a new offensive against animal rights extremists.

Acting assistant chief constable Anton Setchell will coordinate police forces across England and Wales. Home Secretary David Blunkett is expected to announce changes to the law to boost police powers to combat the protesters.

He is also due to appoint a prosecutor to ensure cases built by Mr Setchell’s team result in prosecutions. Despite the Government’s desire to stamp out the attacks, which have seen biotech employees attacked and falsely branded paedophiles, some City firms are said to setting up their own intelligence network to work alongside police.

Frustrated by the estimated annual £1billion cost of protests there is talk of a £25million bounty for information leading to convictions of key figures.

Mr Setchell has also organised policing for a biotech facility being built by Oxford University which has become the focus of animal rights group Speak.