Merseyside Police has vowed to respond robustly to any criminal behaviour at the Grand National, as an animal rights group plans to protest.
Protest group Animal Rising, formerly known as Animal Rebellion, plans to disrupt the main event at Aintree on Saturday (April 15). The Mail on Sunday reported that more than 100 activists had signed up to take part on the day of the Grand National Steeple Chase.
The group is said to be planning to take them to the racecourse in mini buses, where it is claimed they would then glue themselves to the course to form a barricade.
READ MORE: Parties, people watching and toilet requests- living on Aintree's doorstep on Grand National weekend
In the Mail on Sunday's undercover footage, a woman can be heard saying to a group of people: “Basically the kick-off action for this whole campaign is going to be at the Grand National. The biggest horse race in the world.
“We have 600 million people viewing this horse race worldwide, we’ve got £300 million of bets on the horse race and we’re just going to ruin it.”
Superintendent Matthew Moscrop told the ECHO about Merseyside Police's plans to respond to any protest at Aintree.
He said: "If you look at the protests in connection with horse racing, it has been a long-standing thing and we respect people's rights to peaceful protest and people being able to protest outside the course every year - people do so and there's a good relationship with police and the event organisers.
"The things that are being suggested this time - we've got plans in place for that. We work with the Jockey Club, security companies and other partners to make sure it's a safe event.
"While we respect the right to peaceful protest, we're not going to tolerate criminal and disorderly behaviour."
Supt. Moscrop added: "We'll do what we can in our power to do that (keep the event going). We want people to enjoy what is a really significant international event.
"We want people to enjoy the event, if people wish to express their opinions about something else then there are ways to do that. But, if there is criminal behaviour we will deal with that robustly."
In a message to protesters, Supt. Moscrop said: "There are opportunities to protest outside the racecourse. There is space to do so and there are ways to do so. But our message is, if you engage in criminal behaviour then you'll face a robust policing response to it."
Earlier this month, Animal Rising member Rose Patterson said: “This April we are launching the biggest campaign to protect animals and the climate this country has ever seen.
“One undercover Mail on Sunday reporter is not going to stop teachers, nurses, and more from acting for all life and really beginning the crucial conversation about our broken relationship with other animals.
“This conversation is vital if we are to tackle the root causes of our climate and ecological crises.”
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