Ascot goes to the sniffer dogs
Sniffer dogs will patrol the royal enclosure at Ascot next week as racegoers face new security measures, including breathalysers, in an attempt to prevent drug abuse, drunkenness and violence.
Drugs have been a problem on British racecourses, along with drunkenness, which has been blamed for a number of incidents, including brawls at Ascot and Goodwood last month.
Although the royal enclosure, which will be visited by the Queen and other members of the royal family, is hardly renowned for misbehaviour – hemlines and hats are usually given more attention – authorities said the measures would apply to all enclosures at the meeting.
A team of at least 20 police sniffer dogs will be used to catch people in possession of illegal drugs. They will patrol key areas, including queues for lavatories, entry points outside the course and public bars. Anyone found in possession of illegal drugs at the meeting, at which more than 300,000 racegoers are expected over five days, will be refused entry or expelled.
Sniffer dogs have been used at Doncaster and York, and were in action at Ascot last month.
Anyone appearing to be drunk at the turnstiles will be breathalysed, and refused entry if they fail the test. However, there are no plans to conduct breath tests inside the course.
Amnesty boxes will be placed outside the course for racegoers to deposit illegal substances before they go in. Ascot is also doing away with ‘‘beer hawkers’’, who carry beer on their backs to sell in the crowds.
Guy Henderson, chief executive of the Berkshire racecourse, said: ‘‘We want all guests to feel comforted and reassured.’’
– The Times