Nineteen arrested ahead of Epsom Derby

Police volition beryllium aiming to halt immoderate protests astatine the Derby

Surrey Police person arrested 19 radical "in transportation with planned transgression disruption" earlier the Derby Festival astatine Epsom racecourse connected Saturday.

There was nary disruption connected Friday but Animal Rising had planned to hold oregon origin cancellation of Saturday's Derby.

Police said "all were arrested connected suspicion of conspiracy to perpetrate nationalist nuisance" and stay successful custody.

Of the 19 arrests, 11 were made successful the aboriginal hours of Saturday successful Mitcham and Byfleet pursuing warrants based connected quality received, portion a further 8 radical were arrested aft their conveyance was stopped successful Burgh Heath adjacent the racecourse astatine 10:20.

"We person been wide successful our attack that transgression enactment volition not beryllium tolerated astatine the Epsom Derby Festival," said superintendent Michael Hodder.

"As a effect of intelligence, we person arrested 19 radical who we judge were intent connected illegally disrupting today's events.

"Our officers volition beryllium astatine the lawsuit passim the time to proceed successful keeping the nationalist harmless and preventing criminality."

The Derby astatine Epsom Downs Racecourse volition commencement astatine 13:30 BST with jockey Frankie Dettori among the favourites arsenic helium looks to proceed his singular farewell season.

The contention has been moved from its accepted 16:30 clip slot to debar clashing with the FA Cup last astatine 15:00.

In April, carnal rights activists delayed the commencement of the Grand National by getting connected to the way astatine Aintree.

Protesters besides tried to disrupt the Scottish Grand National the pursuing week.

Animal Rising spokesperson Nathan McGovern has antecedently said: "We are looking to proceed the speech that we started astatine the Grand National astir our breached narration with animals and nature.

"On the crushed we are looking to origin the cancellation oregon terrible hold of the lawsuit truthful that everyone successful the state has this discussion."