Grand National targeted: Alliance calls for ‘zero-tolerance’ policing approach following exposé

The Countryside Alliance has urged Merseyside Police to exercise a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach, following reports in the media that Animal Rebellion are planning to disrupt the Grand National.

According to an exclusive story by the Mail on Sunday, Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, reportedly plan to form a human barricade across the course at Aintree on April 15 after using ladders and bolt cutters to sneak into the event.

In undercover footage captured by the newspaper, 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.”

People could be heard laughing after the woman spoke of attempting to ruin the event, which is reportedly the first of the group’s horseracing targets.

They also plan to glue themselves to the course, it is reported.

Speaking to The Telegraph, following the exposé, the Countryside Alliance issued the following statement:

“While small in numbers, Animal Rebellion's pattern of increasingly irrational and confrontational behaviour must serve as a red flag to Merseyside Police, who should exercise a zero tolerance approach towards any behaviour which threatens the welfare of attendees, riders and horses”.

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