Now militant animal rights activists close the M57 motorway near Aintree by gluing themselves to road after ‘Animal Rising’ protesters masquerading as fans stormed the Grand National
- Animal rights activists closed the entire motorway in protest of horseracing
- Police attended the scene and reportedly arrested glued-down protesters
Animal rights activists who delayed the start of the Grand National earlier today have also blocked the M57 motorway in protest of the event by gluing themselves to the road.
Members of Animal Rising, previously known as Animal Rebellion, closed the road at the same time as others attempted to gain access to Aintree’s grounds.
At the racecourse protesters masquerading as fans ran onto the racecourse and attempted to glue themselves to one of the jumps, as others tried to scale fences with ladders.
North West Motorway Police said on Twitter: ‘We have a number of people sat on the M57 at junction 2 northbound – motorway is closed.’
Merseyside Police has confirmed that 118 people have been arrested in relation to the Aintree disruption.
Members of Animal Rising blocked the motorway at around 5pm on Saturday
National Highways said traffic was stopped in both directions on the motorway – between junctions one and two – shortly before 5.15pm, but by 6pm the southbound carriageway was reopened and northbound traffic was being diverted via a slip road.
There were delays of more than an hour on the road, which runs from the M62 to Aintree.
Pictures showed protesters wearing pink T-shirts on the carriageway.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: ‘Today, as you’ve seen, there’s been a significant protest in relation to the running of the Grand National.
‘This began earlier this morning, there’s been a number of protests outside and then that resulted earlier on today at about 5pm with numerous people trying to incur onto the course, which we, in partnership with the event organisers, and members of the public as well, have managed in the main to stop and and ultimately the event took place – albeit with a slight delay.’
He said protesters tried to access the course from a number of points at the far side of the track.
He continued: ‘There were significant numbers. What I can tell you is 118 people have been arrested today in relation to both criminal damage and public nuisance offences – and obviously we’ll process them.’
He said the number included pre-emptive arrests before the race and arrests relating to the protest on the M57, where activists glued themselves to the carriageway.
He added: ‘The perimeter of the course is four to five kilometres long so you know, that is a significant resource required to try and cover every area of that.
‘We put a proportionate policing plan in place and, by and large, we were able to stop the vast majority entering onto the course, a small number did get onto the course, but, very quickly, they were removed, again in partnership with the event organiser, private security and police officers and staff.’
An Aintree Racecourse spokesperson said: ‘We respect the right to peaceful protest but sincerely hope that Animal Rising reflect on whether their proposed actions are legitimate and responsible.
‘Their actions could endanger the horses they purport to protect, as well as jockeys, officials and themselves.
‘As you would expect, we are working closely with Merseyside Police to ensure we protect the safety and enjoyment of everyone, including all participants, human or equine, at the Grand National.’
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
