As per reports, animal rights activists are preparing to disrupt one of the biggest horse races in the world.
Extinction Rebellion’s branch Animal Rebellion plans to blockade the Grand National track at Aintree, Merseyside, in an effort to “ruin” the race.
The group claims that however their plot is discovered, protests will still take place.
A Mail on Sunday reporter snuck into a group gathering and discovered more than 100 people had signed up to participate in the action on April 15.
In the newspaper’s undercover footage, a woman tells the group: ‘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.’
Another woman explained the plan: ‘There are like 100 of you now at the fence.
‘You get the ladders out. Put them up against the fence and you’re the first one over.
‘You start climbing that fence and you see security on the other side. You don’t care. You know you’re doing the right thing.’
The group then plan to form a human barricade and glue themselves to the course.
Animal Rebellion spokeswoman 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.
‘Since 2000, this event alone has killed 40 animals. Most people would say they love animals, so why are we okay with this?
‘Whether it is for food or for sport, our relationship with animals is beyond broken.’
Merseyside Police warned any public order or criminal offences would be ‘dealt with robustly’.
A spokesman for the force added: ‘Merseyside Police has a robust policing plan in place for Aintree, as it does for any major public event, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
‘We have been working with our partners, including The Jockey Club, for a number of months in the build-up to this year’s festival to ensure that any necessary plans and processes are in place to deal with any incidents that may arise and to prevent any significant or ongoing disruption to racegoers and local residents and businesses.
‘We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but public order or criminal offences will not be tolerated.’