Full Breakdown
Police Costs for Protests at MBR Acres Laboratory Dog Facility
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Over the past five years, Cambridgeshire Constabulary has spent roughly £800,000 policing planned demonstrations outside MBR Acres in Wyton, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The site, operated by Marshall Bio Resources (MBR), breeds dogs for laboratory research. Activists began protesting in 2021, demanding the facility’s closure and the release of the dogs.
Background & Context
While activists claim they have never blocked staff vehicles, the police maintain a “small presence” whenever dogs are transported to laboratories—a cost not reflected in the disclosed figures.
Official Statements & Responses
Cambridgeshire Constabulary characterized its approach as “impartial and proportionate,” emphasizing a balance between the right to protest and staff’s right to conduct lawful work. MBR expressed disappointment at the level of policing expenditure.
Data & Statistics
- Total policing cost (planned protest days only): £797,656.
- Officers deployed in 2025: 515, costing £159,834.
- Highest annual cost: £334,970 in 2021 (officer numbers for that year not recorded).
- Figures exclude police response to break-ins, vehicle obstruction, and the routine presence during dog transports.
Why It Matters
The financial outlay highlights the tension between public opposition to animal research and the operational demands placed on local law enforcement. Critics argue that the resources devoted to managing these protests could detract from other policing priorities, while supporters of the facility stress the importance of regulated animal testing for medical advancement. The ongoing debate underscores broader societal questions about the ethical and fiscal implications of animal-based research.