Massive Police Clampdown at Grand National Protest
Police swooped on 118 protesters at the Grand National, arresting men and women aged 18 to 66. They came from all over the UK — Kent, Southampton, London, Essex, Swansea, Falkirk, and Glasgow.
Protesters Face Serious Charges
The suspects were held on various offences including conspiracy to cause public nuisance, obstructing highways, and possession of controlled drugs. Of those arrested, 65 were taken into custody and are now being processed, with bail pending further inquiries.
Race Delayed but Safety Remains Priority
Assistant Chief Constable Paul White revealed the Grand National faced a brief delay after protesters tried to storm the Aintree racecourse. “The site covers a massive 5km perimeter, with some open land, making security a challenge,” he said.
“The safety and wellbeing of everyone is paramount, including the protesters themselves,” White added.
He estimated 70,000 racegoers still enjoyed the event despite the disruption. “We had a robust plan and our officers acted swiftly and safely,” White said.
Respect for Protest, but No Tolerance for Chaos
“We respect peaceful protest and freedom of expression, but criminal behaviour won’t be tolerated. Sadly, that’s what happened yesterday,” White stressed.
He thanked the public for their patience and praised support from police forces across Greater Manchester, North Wales, Cheshire, and Durham, plus Aintree racecourse staff, security teams, and the Jockey Club.
