Epsom Derby chiefs spend £150k on extra security due to threat of protests

Epsom Derby organisers have spent up to £150,000 on extra security measures in a bid to prevent animal rights activists from disrupting this year’s event, which is set to take place on Saturday. There are fears that protests could be set to take place this weekend after Animal Rising members targeted the Grand National earlier this year by running onto the track and attempting to glue themselves to jumps before the start of the race.

The activists have described the Epsom Derby course as ‘unpoliceable’ and have predicted that ‘up to 1,000 people’ could look to disrupt the race in a similar way to the Grand National, which was delayed by around 14 minutes as a result of the protests at Aintree. The Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale has since confirmed that organisers have splashed up to £150,000 on beefing up security at Epsom in an attempt to thwart any plans to stop the race from going ahead.

Truesdale also confirmed that a high court injunction has been secured ahead of Saturday’s event that will make it easier to prosecute those planning on causing any disruption. He said on Good Morning Britain: “You will see what is probably going to be the most significant security operation the Derby has ever seen. A lot more security staff, a lot more police, we’ve got extra fencing up in certain areas that we wouldn’t normally use.”

It comes after Animal Rising spokesperson Claudia Penna Rojas indicated during an appearance on Sky News that she and her fellow activists would be willing to break the law in order to ‘do what is necessary’ to pursue their goals at Epsom this weekend. She said: “I’m prepared to do what is necessary to do what’s right by these animals and try and prevent them from being harmed.

READ MORE: Protestors storm Scottish Grand National just hours after horse dies

“If it means breaking the law, we know that law isn’t always equal to morality and we know that people have had to break laws throughout history to create the change that we need. And, again, what this is about is protecting these animals.

“It’s about trying to create the change that we need to see where we don’t see animals as property, where we don’t see them as objects that are used for our entertainment and value them and care for them as the beings that they are.”

Animal Rising activists have been vocal on social media about a planned meeting outside the Epsom course, which will reportedly involve a range of family activities as well as protests. However, it remains to be seen whether the beefed-up security measures will successfully prevent any disruptive action from being taken by the protestors ahead of Saturday’s race.

It seems as though those planning to protest at Epsom are not expected to run in front of a live race, though, with Penna Rojas explaining: “Their welfare, the welfare of the jockeys, the welfare of the people there is absolutely our priority.”

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