Ascot: The scene of more unsavoury scenes last weekend
Ascot: The scene of more unsavoury scenes last weekend

Racecourse security to be tightened after more ugly scenes at Ascot


More uniformed security officers could be deployed at racecourses to help tackle outbreaks of violence.

Racecourse Association chief executive Stephen Atkin said tracks would need to assess security measures after a brawl erupted at Ascot on Saturday.

Footage shared widely on social media captured suited racegoers trading blows, while more than 50 people were involved in a brawl at Goodwood the previous weekend.

Craig Newman, who witnessed the violence erupt at Ascot, said: "You could feel something was going to happen and all of a sudden, as I was walking past the bar, I heard some shouting from behind me.

"I turned and almost immediately two guys started throwing punches at each other and before I knew it at least 20 others came piling in and everyone was throwing punches.

"They then moved behind the bar that I was by and that's when I started filming. At first I couldn't believe my eyes but then eventually got the phone out to record it."

Atkin said racecourses would have to employ the "right level of security staff".

"The question you have to consider is how many of those should be in high visibility and how many in plain clothes. That is something racecourses may want to look at and step up the level of visibility," he told BBC 5 live.

"There is very considerable training which the RCA helps run of racecourse staff about serving alcohol in bars and making drinking water freely available and advising people how to pace themselves," he continued.

"With the issue of drugs, there are regular checks on areas that may be prone to drug misuse.

"The RCA and our racecourse experience group are in regular touch with the police officers' association about how we can best tackle that."

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo