Spies and protests leads to ‘ring of steel’ at Grand National | Racing | Sport

Concerns about spies and protesters have led to a police « ring of steel » being put up around Aintree during the Grand National.

Last year’s race was pushed back by 14 minutes after activists got onto the course and secured themselves to the fences.

However Animal Rising, the activist group behind last year’s demonstration, said it would not be returning to the course this year.

According to The Sun, trainer Sam Thomson blamed the death of his horse Hill Sixteen on the delay, claiming it became « hyper » during the delays.

It is understood police are going to step up the « ring of steel » to ensure this year’s event goes off without a hitch. 

Along with armed cops, there will be “Project Servator” officers on site in uniform and plain clothes.

The specially trained units are designed to spot crowd trouble before it happens.

Supt Matthew Moscrop said: “These deployments will appear at any time in and around the area of the racecourse, but the public should not be alarmed by this.

« We are very happy with our response last year. The fact the race was delayed for just 14 minutes is a massive success.

« But building on that, we have reviewed the intelligence so we are ready again to deal with any challenges that arise, possible criminal activity and ways to counter that.”

It is thought the policing operation will be the biggest at Aintree since an IRA bomb in 1997 led to the course being evacuated. Racing was postponed and run two days later.

The 2023 meet saw 118 arrests, with 10 people charged and another 50 pending review from the CPS.