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Arrests over Scottish Grand National course invasion Police arrest 25 over Scottish Grand National course invasion
(about 14 hours later)
Protesters ran onto the Scottish Grand National courseProtesters ran onto the Scottish Grand National course
Protesters ran onto the Scottish Grand National courseProtesters ran onto the Scottish Grand National course
A total of 25 people have been arrested after animal rights protesters tried to disrupt the Scottish Grand National. Police have arrested 25 people after animal rights protesters tried to disrupt the Scottish Grand National.
Officers intervened after Animal Rising activists rushed onto Ayr racecourse before the 15:35 race, won by Kitty's Light. A large group breached fences at Ayr racecourse and made towards the track at about 15:20 before a further smaller group tried to disrupt a later race.
Police Scotland said a "significant operation" took place to "safely remove" protesters from the track. Police Scotland said officers "safely removed" people on both occasions and no injuries were reported.
Security at the course was ramped up after protests delayed the start of the Grand National last week. Security was ramped up at the racecourse after protests delayed the start of the Grand National last week.
The protest failed to delay Saturday's event, with the off time in the 18-horse race recorded as 3:38.
The Ayr protest followed the death of horse Oscar Elite in the 13:50 race on Saturday. Activists said they wanted to stop other horses from dying or coming to harm.The Ayr protest followed the death of horse Oscar Elite in the 13:50 race on Saturday. Activists said they wanted to stop other horses from dying or coming to harm.
Although the activist group Animal Rising claimed to have delayed the 18-horse event, won by Kitty's Light, it started only three minutes late.
Security stepped up for Scottish Grand NationalSecurity stepped up for Scottish Grand National
More than 100 arrests over Grand National protestsMore than 100 arrests over Grand National protests
Favourite Kitty's Light wins Scottish Grand NationalFavourite Kitty's Light wins Scottish Grand National
Animal Rising, which is seeking to highlight what it said is the exploitation of animals for sport and food, said it will continue with more race disruptions, alongside a series of farm occupations and animal "rescues". The group said it wanted to highlight the exploitation of animals for sport and food.
It said it will continue with more race disruptions as well as a series of farm occupations and animal "rescues".
Protester Sarah McCaffrey from the group said last week's protest at the Grand National started a "crucial conversation about our relationship with animals and nature".Protester Sarah McCaffrey from the group said last week's protest at the Grand National started a "crucial conversation about our relationship with animals and nature".
"Today we continue that conversation. As a society, we love animals, but we have to find a way to care for them without harming them," she said. On Saturday, she said: "Today we continue that conversation. As a society, we love animals, but we have to find a way to care for them without harming them."
Ms McCaffrey called for an end to horse racing and a transition to a plant-based food system.Ms McCaffrey called for an end to horse racing and a transition to a plant-based food system.
Animal rights campaigners attempted to rush onto the courseAnimal rights campaigners attempted to rush onto the course
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said a "large group of protesters climbed under and over fences" to reach the track. Police Scotland Assistant Ch Con Tim Mairs said police officers and stewards had responded swiftly to intervene and "prevent further escalation".
"Overall, there have been 25 arrests so far across the day and enquires are continuing," he added. He said: "We worked closely with the event organisers and other partners ahead of the Scottish Grand National to ensure a proportionate plan was in place to keep people safe and facilitate peaceful protest."
"I would like to commend the work of the officers and stewards who responded swiftly to intervene and prevent further escalation. Ayr's managing director David Brown also praised the swift action of the police and security teams on course.
"We worked closely with the event organisers and other partners ahead of the Scottish Grand National to ensure a proportionate plan was in place to keep people safe and facilitate peaceful protest."
Ayr's managing director David Brown praised the swift action of the police and security teams on course.
He said: "The race went off to time, there was no notable delay and the professionalism of the team up here in Scotland was a credit to them, they dealt with it in a very efficient manner."He said: "The race went off to time, there was no notable delay and the professionalism of the team up here in Scotland was a credit to them, they dealt with it in a very efficient manner."
Following the Grand National at Aintree last week, Merseyside Police said they arrested 118 people over disruption which saw nine people enter the course.Following the Grand National at Aintree last week, Merseyside Police said they arrested 118 people over disruption which saw nine people enter the course.
Up to 17,000 people were expected at Ayr racecourse for the Scottish version of the race.Up to 17,000 people were expected at Ayr racecourse for the Scottish version of the race.
The Scottish Grand National was inaugurated in Ayrshire in 1867 and has taken place at Ayr since 1966.The Scottish Grand National was inaugurated in Ayrshire in 1867 and has taken place at Ayr since 1966.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Animal rightsAnimal rights
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