Four people have been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage after warrants were executed at properties in Hampshire and Worcestershire yesterday (Tuesday, November 10).

Thomas William Harris, 26, and Nicola May Tapping, 28, of Clarence Road, Gosport, were detained by officers at an address in Gosport, Hampshire, and Christopher Potter, 20, and Maria Neal, 19, were detained at their home address of Boat Lane, Evesham, Worcerstershire.

All four were charged last night. 

Potter and Neal were released on police bail to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on November 18, 2009.

Harris and Tapping appeared before magistrates in Portsmouth earlier today. They were bailed to appear before Winchester Crown Court on the morning of Monday, November 17.

The arrests were made in connection with an ongoing investigation into animal rights extremism, relating to incidents of criminal damage that occurred in the Winchester, Fareham, Hedge End and Farnborough areas of Hampshire in September and October 2008.