Animal rights activists arrested ahead of major greyhound event in Northamptonshire today.

Three suspected animal rights activists have been arrested by Northamptonshire Police as part of a public safety operation for today’s Greyhound Derby event at Towcester Racecourse.

Two men, aged 41 and 26, together with a 33-year-old woman were arrested after the Force executed warrants during an out of county operation supported by colleagues from the Metropolitan Police.

Police are mounting a significant policing operation for the event, the biggest in the greyhound racing calendar, following threats in recent weeks from Animal Rising activists who have warned they plan to disrupt it.

Chief Inspector Pete Basham, who is leading the operation, said: “We have conducted warrants outside Northamptonshire as part of a wider operation to stop those intent on disrupting sporting events. Today we will be facilitating people’s rights to lawfully protest, but I want to send a message to anyone considering disrupting today’s event that we will deal with them robustly if they step outside the law and affect the enjoyment of spectators coming to attend the races.”

Specialist officers are among those being deployed at the event which is expected to attract several thousand visitors.