Clampdown: sniffer dogs and breath tests as Royal Ascot tackles drugs and drink

A host of new, tighter security measures, including sniffer dogs patrolling toilet queues and breath-testing of racegoers at the turnstiles, will be employed over the five days of Royal Ascot next week.

For the first time at the world’s most famous Flat meeting the focus appears to be on preventing the use of recreational drugs, a growing problem on British racecourses this year which, along with excessive drinking, has been the catalyst for a number of high-profile, unsavoury incidents at tracks such as Goodwood, Ascot and Hexham.

A team of 20 or more specially trained sniffer dogs will be used to identify people in possession of illegal drugs, patrolling key areas, including toilet queues, entry points outside the course and public bars.

In a clear message that Ascot, which expects to welcome more than 300,000 racegoers over the five days, is adopting a zero-tolerance approach to racegoers taking drugs, those found in possession of illegal substances on entry or on site will be refused entry or expelled.

Guy Henderson, chief executive at Ascot, said: “Every year as part of our preparations for Royal Ascot we review our security measures alongside our expert partners.

“We want all guests to feel comforted and reassured, and we believe the combination of armed police, patrol dogs and high-level security will provide this.

Increased specialist team

“The use of illegal drugs and their contribution to anti-social behaviour is a significant issue for all major events. This year we will continue proactively to address these challenges with an increased specialist security team, supported by more visible stewarding around bars and other areas in order to pre-empt incidents arising from excess alcohol consumption or other anti-social behaviour.

“As has always been our policy, anyone found entering or on the site with illegal drugs will be refused entry or expelled.”

Ascot ticket-holders have been contacted individually by Henderson about the changes.

The clampdown on anti-social behaviour is in response to mass brawls that broke out at Goodwood and Ascot last month, and the increased use of drugs on racecourses.

Sniffer dogs have been a regular presence at Saturday meetings this year

Assistant chief constable David Hardcastle, of Thames Valley Police, which is responsible for policing the royal meeting, said: “People should be reassured and not alarmed by the security measures that are being put in place. We're working closely with our partners to protect the public and, as such, you should go about your day as normal and enjoy this prestigious event.”

Specific measures in place at Royal Ascot that will apply to all enclosures and general/common areas comprise:

• A highly visible response team trained and equipped to carry out early intervention and evictions, increased to 100+ head count.
• The introduction of more specialist-trained incident 'spotters' to support that team.
• The operation of drugs amnesty boxes outside the racecourse for racegoers to deposit illegal drugs alongside security procedures before entry.
• Following a successful trial in May, 20+ specially trained drugs dogs will be used to identify people in possession of illegal drugs.
• Dogs will patrol key areas across the site including entry points outside the course, public bars and queues for the toilets and car parks.
• Those found in possession of illegal drugs on entry or on site will be refused entry or expelled.
• The discontinuation of beer hawkers.
• Breath testing of customers on entry who are showing overt signs of inebriation and refusing entry to those inebriated.
• Armed police officers both on and off site throughout Royal Ascot, as normal.
  

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