TWO people have been arrested in Evesham in connection with an investigation into animal rights extremism.

A 19-year-old man from Evesham and a 20-year-old woman from Evesham were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and are currently in custody helping police with their enquiries.

The arrests were made after a warrant was executed at an address in Boat Lane, Evesham, Worcestershire today as part of an ongoing investigation in Hampshire.

Officers are searching the address and the search is expected to continue for some time.

The arrests relate to incidents of criminal damage that occurred in the Winchester, Fareham, Hedge End and Farnborough areas of Hampshire in September and October 2008.

A man and a woman from Gosport were also arrested at an address in Clarence Road, Gosport, Hampshire.