The York Press (UK)
Animal rights pair held
By Mike Laycock
11 March 2008
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk:80/news/yorknews/display.var.2108838.0.animal_rights_pair_held.php

TWO animal rights campaigners thought to be involved in protests
against a York restaurant have been arrested on suspicion of
harassment.

North Yorkshire Police said today that a number of items were also
seized as part of an investigation.

A spokeswoman said that the two people who were arrested were a
40-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman.

They were suspected of harassment "relating to an incident connected
to a restaurant in York".

She said both had been released on police bail while inquiries continued.

A number of allegations have been made on the Animal Liberation
Front's (ALF) website about police officers' alleged conduct during
the arrests.

The website carries a request for supporters to email North Yorkshire
Police's professional standards.

Postings on the site claim the arrests related to the sustained
campaign by YAFA (York Action for Animals) against the sale of foie
gras by the Blue Bicycle restaurant in Fossgate.

YAFA organised a series of demonstrations outside the restaurant,
which it said was the last in York to sell the controversial paté.

Earlier this month, it claimed victory, saying foie gras had been
dropped from the menu.

But the Blue Bicycle said although the dish had gone from its main
menu, it was still available on the specials board and for outside
catering contracts, and it could reappear on the main menu in the
future.

It is claimed on the ALF site that a property was raided by police
under a search warrant issued in relation to unproven allegations of a
"harrassing" phone call made on New Years Eve.

It is also claimed that items removed from the property included
computers, mobile phones, a video camera and magazines and that cars
were also searched.

Another posting on the website contains information on how to avoid
"sensitive" information - for example about an "upcoming illegal
project" - being obtained from computers when raided by the
authorities.

The police spokeswoman said because two arrests had been made, the
force would be unable to make any further comment.

A spokeswoman for the Blue Bicycle declined to comment.

Campaigners 'shocked' by the news

Alan Swain, spokesperson for YAFA, said today that news of the arrests
had come as a shock.

"YAFA is a peaceful, law-abiding organisation committed to bringing
about change through the democratic process," he said. "We exercise
our right of peaceful protest, and have worked very closely with North
Yorkshire Police throughout our demonstrations to keep them fully
appraised of our plans. We have developed a positive working
relationship with the police and are proud that our demonstrations
have always passed without incident.

"We have been made aware that two of our members have been arrested in
correction with a complaint of harassment.

"We understand that these complaints do not relate to our
demonstrations, and the two individuals deny any wrongdoing," he said.