Epsom Derby protester tackled on track during race

Surrey Police have preempted plans by the Animal Rising group to disrupt the Epsom Derby by making 19 arrests on the morning of the race.

A total of 11 people were arrested in the early hours of Saturday at addresses in Mitcham and Byfleet following intelligence-based warrants, while a further eight were detained after a vehicle was stopped at the back of the racecourse on Canons Lane in Burgh Heath at 10.20am.

The race does not start until 1.30pm but the Jockey Club, who own the Epsom course, have taken out a High Court injunction against protesters attempting to storm the course or disrupt the race after the Grand National was delayed in April.

Animal Rising have repeatedly vowed to stop or delay the 244th edition of the Derby, prompting the Jockey Club to spend an additional £150,000 on an unprecedented security operation.

Protecting the Epsom Downs site poses major challenges due to its easy accessibility to the public and the 19 protesters were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance. They remain in police custody.

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#Epsom #Racing #Protest

[drizzle]

What do these protesters think would happen to all the horses if racing, show jumping, riding etc were banned? Do they think they'd all be running freely around the countryside?

[owlinthewood]

Pity they didn’t clear the roads of protesters so efficiently.

[andrewfletcher]

they can drag them off there, but not from a main road with cars & lorries?

[fredscratchet]

If we listened to all the protesting wokes who are blighting our lives right now we would sit in the house and die of boredom 😒

[reazonuk]

Should of stuck on a bright orange vest with stop oil on it and just slowly walked down the track, im sure the police would of give em an escort

[bumpkinrocks]

But yet they stand by guarding them as they block the Roads, it's ridiculous!
The Police certainly don't know their priorities 🤬

[prideauxboy]

lets see if they show face at appleby fair 🧐

[saltburner]

It's a pity he did not meet the same fate as Emily Wilding Davison.

[orthodoxblue]

Where’s this policing for the public on the roads?

[burtonfootballer]

Should have staked him to the course while the race was running

[AM-bnxm]

I nearly bet on massive tosser! How many fences did he jump 😂

[Pepe]

Viva la hípica! Mi pasión por la hípica y el amor al Derby ! Esta gente esta totalmente equivocada y generan un mal enorme. Deben ser castigados. Es la hípica la que ama a los animales.

[LILLYB]

No horse racing, no horses. Unless these clowns are willing to pay for their care, food and stable fees. 😂

[philjameson]

The betting was amended at the last minute to includ the 5000/1 outsider D***head. Sadly he fell at the first fence

[willclayton]

these million doller race horses get better medical care than most childern

[MrSpud]

I worked here for the first time this year and the view I got of this was absolutely hilarious from our box 😂😂

[Laughinggravy]

He should join just stop oil and the police would have arrested all the jockeys instead

[meeds]

Hopefully they get jailed and witness the real animals in prison 😈😈

[johntomlinson]

So, according to the very prompt action being displayed by the police here, a horse has more right of passage than a motorist on a bridge in London????

[colinhill]

They should have let the horses run the idiot over, but then the police protect them.