Nineteen activists have been arrested ahead of plans to disrupt the Epsom Derby on Saturday, police said.
The group Animal Rising accused Surrey Police of "abusing" their powers after 19 people were arrested on Saturday morning based on intelligence received by officers. A spokesman for the force said 11 people were arrested at addresses in Mitcham and Byfleet in the early hours and a further eight people were arrested after their vehicle was stopped on Canons Lane in Burgh Heath at around 10.20am.
It comes after activist group vowed to "cancel or severely delay" the race - despite a High Court injunction banning them from doing so. Last week, the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted the injunction against the group, claiming it had made "explicitly clear" it intended to breach security at the Surrey racecourse.
