Dairy lorries destroyed in fire-bombing
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Your support makes all the difference.ARSONISTS SET off a barrage of fire bombs under lorries at Unigate Dairies in Oxford yesterday, causing damage worth up to pounds 1m.
Police suspect that animal rights extremists may have been responsible for the attack at midnight, although no one has yet claimed responsibility.
Seventeen vehicles were completely burnt out in the blaze, which started 30 minutes after four vehicles were destroyed at Tadmartin Poultry in nearby Banbury.
Sergeant Bob Gray, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, condemned the attacks as "sheer wanton vandalism". "This attack has all the hallmarks of animal rights activists," he said.
"We utterly condemn this kind of direct action. It was sheer wanton vandalism and whoever did this was extremely reckless.
"We are not sure of the exact value of the damage but we would estimate it at between half a million and a million pounds."
The attackers left fire bombs under each vehicle at the back of the yard. All but one device went off and the alarm was raised by holidaymakers on a nearby camp site.
"These incendiary devices were well made and certainly seemed to serve their purpose," Sgt Gray said.
"All but one device went off and this had to be made safe by the fire brigade. The devices had detonators which ignited petrol. They were obviously dangerous and could put people's lives at risk. There is a camping site very close by and these actions show a total disregard for the safety of others."
Tony Hensby, a Unigate Dairies spokeswoman, said: "This incident is inexplicable and we are at a complete loss.We don't understand why we can possibly be the target of such pointless vandalism.
"The depot is being cleaned-up and will be open tomorrow," she added.
POLICE CHARGED 45 people last night with conspiracy to damage crops at a farm growing genetically-modified maize.
Lincolnshire Police said officers made the arrests after six acres of non-GM maize, worth pounds 2,000, were destroyed at Home Farm, Spital in the Street, Lincolnshire. All those charged are due to appear at Lincoln magistrates' court today.
Earlier, Thames Valley Police arrested 20 people during a sit-down protest at the Hillgrove Cat Farm in Witney.
A man, 42, from Cambridge, was charged with obstructing police and will appear before Witney magistrates court on 20 September.
The 19 other activists were released on bail pending further inquiries.
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