Proactive policing operation for this year's Aintree Festival
Main article content
Merseyside Police is reminding people that it will be continuing to police this year’s Aintree Festival which is being held behind closed doors.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic only owners, trainers and staff will be allowed onto the racecourse during the three day festival, which starts tomorrow, Thursday 8th April, and runs until Saturday 10th April.
But officers will be patrolling streets and footpaths in the area around the course to remind people of the need abide by Covid regulations on social distancing and gathering in groups, even when outside.
Chief Superintendent Paul White said: "In keeping with the current Government guidelines this year’s Aintree festival will take place behind closed doors.
"We know that the event is traditionally a huge part of Merseyside’s social calendar and annually attracts large crowds from across the UK and the world who attend over the three days.
"This year’s event will be taking place behind closed doors, which is a huge shame, however we are clearly in unprecedented times.
"We have been working closely with Aintree to ensure that the festival can still take place safely and as such there will be a proactive and proportionate policing operation and you will see officers in the streets and footpaths around the course reminding people of the current Coronavirus regulations.
"We know that there are some people whose homes are adjacent to the racecourse and we have already engaged with them to remind them of the current Covid regulations, including the rule of six or only two households allowed to gather in private gardens and that households are not allowed to mix indoors.
"We would ask everyone to play their part to protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS by continuing to stick to the rules and working together so we can get back to normal as soon as possible."