Royal Ascot 2018: Drugs dogs and breathalyser tests on the turnstiles as Ascot racecourse announces crackdown on violence ahead of Royal meeting
RACEGOERS will be breathalysed at turnstiles as Ascot racecourse looks to clamp down on violent behaviour at Royal Ascot next week.
Racecourse bosses have been forced to act following unsavoury scenes across the country, where alcohol-induced scraps were caught on camera phones and shared widely on social media.
The breath tests will be carried out on racegoers who are showing "overt signs of inebriation".
The course is also introducing a team of specialist trained incident "spotters" to identify potential trouble and drugs amnesty boxes outside the racecourse.
Mobile beer sellers have also been stopped as part of the crackdown.
More than 20 specially trained drugs dogs will be used to identify people in possession of illegal drugs, patrolling key areas across the site including entry points outside the course, public bars and queues for the toilets and car parks.
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Those found in possession of illegal drugs on entry or on site will be refused entry or expelled.
Guy Henderson, Ascot racecourse chief executive, 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 that the combination of armed police, patrol dogs and high-level security will provide this.
"The use of illegal drugs and their contribution to anti-social behaviour is a significant issue for all major events.
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"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.
"We are looking forward to a tremendous five days of racing and to welcoming some 300,000 people to this very special celebration of our sport, British culture and fashion."