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UK: Stalking act used against activists

01 July 1997

The new Protection from Harassment Act - originally designed to protect people from harassment by stalkers - has been used to serve injunctions against animal rights activists. Two injunctions were granted by the High Court on July 16. One put a 24 hour exclusion zone around the headquarters of the British Field Sports Association, while the other barred three named activists and "all individuals and organisations holding themselves out as animal rights activists" from interfering with a cat-breeder and his family.

The new law was originally introduced last year after increased concerns about stalking sparked a press outcry. Civil liberties campaigners had been concerned that the law was broad enough to cover demonstrators and investigative journalists. A spokeswoman for Liberty commented: "It's always depressing to see our worst fears come true. Using the new act in this way will detract from the aim of protecting genuine victims of harassment whilst adding to the arsenal of criminal sanctions already available against legitimate protests." Senior police officers are apparently recommending that anyone charged under the act should be refused bail. The net result of this could be that activists who are charged under the new act could face instant imprisonment and months on remand while waiting for their cases to be heard. One activist told the SchNews: "This could be the thin end of the wedge. If they get away with using these laws against animal rights activists then it will give carte blanche to attack anyone involved in the direct action movement". Anyone convicted twice under the act could face a five year jail sentence.

Schnews, 18.7.97.