Undercover officer freed thousands of fur farm mink
Met admits failures after policewoman infiltrated animal rights group and joined ‘devastating’ raid
AN UNDERCOVER police officer helped release thousands of mink from a fur farm after she infiltrated a group of animal rights campaigners 20 years ago, Scotland Yard has admitted. The incident, at Crow Hill Farm, Ringwood, Hants in August 1998, led to widespread environmental damage in the New Forest and resulted in the deaths of thousands of animals.
While the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) claimed responsibility for releasing the mink, and Hampshire Police undertook a lengthy investigation, no one was ever charged.
The Metropolitan Police has now admitted that it was aware at the time that one of its undercover officers had been involved, but failed to share the infor- mation with their colleagues in the Hampshire force.
Christine Green – not her real name – who worked as an undercover officer with the controversial Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), infiltrated the ALF and London Animal Action between 1994 and 1999. She was given permission by police chiefs to take part in the crime, because they believed maintaining her cover could help prevent further crime in the future.
Two years after the incident the female officer quit her job to pursue a relationship with Tom Frampton, an animal rights campaigner.
A subsequent police inquiry into Ms Green’s conduct determined there was not enough evidence to charge her with any crime.
However, Scotland Yard has now acknowledged that it was wrong to allow Ms Green to take part in the action and then keep the matter from their colleagues in Hampshire.
The disclosure was made after the inquiry into undercover policing published details of her assumed identity.
Around 6,000 mink that were being bred for their pelts were set free from their cages, as part of the militant campaign against the fur trade. The animals flooded neighbouring properties in the New Forest where they caused havoc, attacking pets and livestock.
Hundreds of the mink ended up being destroyed by local farmers while many more starved to death. Experts said the release had a devastating impact on the New Forest ecosystem and its effects were felt for many years.
Scotland Yard confirmed they had apologised to Hampshire Police in 2014 for not sharing the information, but insisted the same situation could not arise today.