Drink-drugs clampdown to stop rising violence at Ascot

Racegoers at Royal Ascot are facing greater security checks in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour, following a number of high profile brawls at racecourses up and down the country.

Just last month, a group of men were filmed fighting at Ascot. Women watched on in shock as the group of racegoers threw punches and verbal abuse at each other.

In an effort to deter people from drinking too much, organisers have this year increased the number of security staff, armed police and sniffer dogs on duty.

There are also drugs amnesty bins on site, where people can dispose of illegal substances.

Nick Smith, director of racing at Ascot Racecourse, told Paste BN: "We have a lot of measures in place. There are a lot of messages telling people not to overindulge.

"We have sniffer dogs because unfortunately not just at the races, not just in our sport, the use of illegal drugs has become prevalent… I think society has changed.

"People probably drink more than they used to and it doesn't take many to upset the majority. But most people have a great time."

Horse racing now attracts approximately six million spectators every year and Royal Ascot is one of the biggest events in the calendar.

It is an opportunity for people to dress to impress, with women wearing an array of elaborately coloured hats and high heeled shoes and men arriving in traditional top hats and tails.

Of course, the horses are supposed to create the lasting impression at Ascot, but nowadays racing is attracting a wider audience, with many enjoying the socialising, celebrity spotting and fashion wars, just as much as a flutter on the horses.

For some, drinking can start at breakfast time and run well into the night. Over the years there have been regular outbreaks of trouble, including high profile incidents at both Ascot and Goodwood last month.

However, in recent weeks things seem to have quietened down, partly because of heightened security.

Student Megan Agnew welcomed the move. She worked as a hostess at Royal Ascot last year and said the amount of alcohol consumed was shocking.

She told Paste BN: "People were falling in front of cars, banging on bonnets, vomiting. There were fights and nakedness.

"The customers were pretty sleazy. They would show off in front of their friends."

This week Royal Ascot is expected to welcome about 300,000 racegoers, with Ladies' Day likely to be among the most popular.

The racecourse has put out a clear message that it has a zero tolerance approach to drug taking and excessive alcohol consumption, by banning roaming alcohol sellers and expelling anyone found to be in possession of illegal substances.