LIVERPOOL, England — Three individuals have been arrested in reference to a plan by animal rights activists to disrupt the celebrated Grand National horse race on Saturday.

All three have been arrested on “suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance,” Merseyside Police stated.

A 25-year-old girl and a person have been arrested whereas protesting outdoors Aintree racecourse close to Liverpool, the place the well-known steeplechase takes place.

Earlier Saturday, a 33-year-old girl was arrested within the Greater Manchester space “in connection with potential coordinated disruption activities” at Aintree, police stated. Their names weren't disclosed.

Animal Rising had known as on protesters to collect outdoors the racecourse to demand an finish to “animal cruelty for entertainment.” The group tweeted a video that it stated exhibits considered one of its spokespeople being arrested on the protest.

Police stated they've been working with race organizers forward of and throughout the Grand National Festival, which began Thursday.

“We are aware of some people planning to protest at the event,” a police spokesperson stated in a press release. “This has been factored into our plans. We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but criminal behavior and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”

Animal Rising activist Alex Lockwood this week advised British radio station talkSPORT that they deliberate to disrupt the Grand National, arguing that standing outdoors and handing out fliers “never stopped anything.”

The Grand National, among the many largest events on the British sporting calendar, is considered one of the crucial harmful horse races on the earth due to the dimensions of the fences.

Changes have been made in 2012 to make the course safer, together with softening a number of the fences, after two horses died within the Grand National that 12 months and in 2011.

There have been 4 fatalities from 356 runners within the 9 Grand Nationals since.

Four horses died on the Aintree competition final 12 months, together with two who have been injured within the Grand National. Another horse, Envoye Special, suffered a deadly harm within the Foxhunters’ Chase - run over the fences used for the Grand National - on Thursday.

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