Police arrest 30 in Europe-wide animal rights raids

LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) Police today arrested 30 people in a series of coordinated raids across Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands today as part of investigations into animal rights extremism.

Police in Hampshire, southern England, said in a statement around 300 officers and support staff from British, Dutch and Belgian forces were involved in the raids.

''The people arrested are all suspected of being involved in criminal activity associated with animal rights extremism,'' the statement said.

''All have been taken to undisclosed police stations across the country and will be interviewed throughout the day.'' Police declined to give any more details of those arrested but said searches of various premises were continuing and officers were ''working with the local communities to minimise any disruption''.

REUTERS KD KN1430