Goodwood and Epsom announce enhanced security measures

Goodwood announced on Tuesday that it is enhancing its existing security measures for all future fixtures, following an extensive review of the incident that took place on Saturday, May 5.

Racing was in the news for the wrong reasons recently on successive weekends, as drunken racegoers were filmed brawling.

Big meetings at York and Newbury have since passed without trouble and the Sussex track and Epsom will employ sniffer dogs to ensure no drugs are taken through the turnstiles.

Goodwood will be implement additional measures to help prevent future incidents from occurring, having conducted an internal review and extensive consultation with the local Safety Advisory Group which comprises Sussex Police, the local licencing authority and other emergency services.

Goodwood has also worked closely with the Racecourse Association and all the other Large Independent Racecourses to ensure best practice is shared.

“We have conducted a thorough and extensive review of everything that happened at our first fixture, of our existing policies and held a detailed consultation with our Safety Advisory Group and Sussex Police," Alex Eade, General Manager for Goodwood Racecourse, said.

"We have also been working with the Racecourse Association and our other Large Independent Racecourse colleagues to ensure that we are part of the industry-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour."

Sussex Police will now be present at every fixture throughout the season and all security response teams at the venue will wear high-visibility clothing.

Though drugs sniffer dogs have regularly been used at certain fixtures, they will now be in operation at every fixture and racegoers will be strongly encouraged to use the existing amnesty bins in place.

Random bag searches will continue to be in place at all entrances and any racegoer found to be in possession of drugs inside the venue will be removed immediately.

Goodwood continues to operate the ‘Challenge 25’ policy in all bars and, in line with other UK racecourses, the ‘four-pint rule’ will be actioned, meaning no-one can purchase more than four pints in the retail bars. There will also be Hydration Stations at every bar.

“We have concluded that we will make our security teams more visible, we have changed some personnel and the composition of our rapid response teams as well as taking even stronger measures to discourage drug use and excessive alcohol consumption," Eade added.

"Sussex Police have agreed to have a presence at each of our future fixtures and we continue to work with them on deploying other covert and overt methods of deterring anti-social behaviour and drug use. We are also still helping them with their enquiries following the incident on May 5.”

Epsom racecourse insists its aim is to stage a “safe, fun and enjoyable” Investec Derby in the light of recent incidents at Goodwood and Ascot.

Phil White, London Regional Director for the Jockey Club, said: “Planning for the Derby is a 12-month process and we work with our policing partners to ensure the safety of all the visitors on Investec Derby day.

“It’s no different, we’ve been working on it for a number of months and are constantly reviewing our security measures.

“This year visitors will see a visible presence at all the entrances, sniffer dogs, amnesty bins for drugs use etc which isn’t tolerated.

“All those things are in place to ensure first and foremost people are safe and that it is a fun and enjoyable day for everybody.”