Animal activists pledge to shut down Epsom on Derby day

Animal rights activists in the UK have pledged to “cancel or severely delay” the Epsom Derby on Saturday as police brace for disruption.

A spokesperson for Animal Rising has said that protesters will attempt to shut down the race in their bid to protect the animals.

The warning came after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was last week granted a High Court injunction against the group, claiming it had made “explicitly clear” it intended to breach security at the Surrey racecourse.

On Friday, Surrey Police warned they “will not tolerate” risks to public safety after an Animal Rising spokesperson told Sky News she would do “what’s necessary”, including breaking the law, to protect the animals.