Officers from Staffordshire Police's Public Order and Protest Unit arrested two people in Dorchester last Thursday (March 1) as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of blackmail offences linked to animal rights extremism. A 39-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, both from Dorchester, were arrested at a residential address at 6.30am and taken to Weymouth police station for questioning by Staffordshire officers. The address where they were arrested was searched for evidence. The man was later released without charge while the woman was released on police bail pending further enquiries. She is due to answer her bail in Staffordshire on May 8. The alleged offences involve threatening letters and emails sent to a number of individuals and companies across the UK. Most of the victims had or have connections with animal research organisations. One of the companies had links with Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, which bred guinea pigs for research until January 2006. The Hall family, owners of the farm, were targeted by animal rights extremists in a six-year campaign, which culminated in the stealing of the body of Gladys Hammond from her grave at Yoxall village church. Staffordshire Police has led the investigation, which involves seven other forces. | 
