Punters attending this week’s Cheltenham Festival were still permitted to attend the races if drugs were found in their possession, according to local police.
In a statement, Gloucestershire Constabulary said that provided those who were caught with drugs on their person surrendered them when searched by security at the entrance to the racecourse, they were not stopped from entering the premises.
Local police were not involved in drug searches at the course entrance. These were instead carried out by a private company hired by The Jockey Club, organisers of the Cheltenham Festival.
Sniffer dogs were present at each entrance, while drug amnesty bins have been in place at entrances to all tracks run by The Jockey Club since 2016.
Police said they would only become involved in drug searches if an individual is found with a quantity large enough to raise concerns that they may intend to supply drugs to others. Police officers were present within the racecourse itself.
“Racegoers visiting Cheltenham racecourse are searched by a private company as a condition of entry to ensure that drugs are not brought on to site,” said a spokesman for the Gloucestershire Constabulary.
“The company utilises drugs detection dogs to identify anyone who may be in possession of drugs before they are searched and any items found are surrendered/confiscated and placed within amnesty bins. The person will be then allowed entry on to the site.
“Police are not involved in this process but will be called to assist should someone be found in possession of a large quantity of drugs or there are concerns about possible drug supply offences.”
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Paul Townend celebrates winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase Galopin Des Champs on day four of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Jockey Paul Townend celebrates as he returns to the winner's enclosure on Galopin Des Champs after victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, in Cheltenham, England on March 17th. Photograph: by Glyn Kirk/AFP
Trainer Willie Mullins celebrates after Galopin Des Champs ridden by Paul Townend wins the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase on day four of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Good Time Jonny is washed down by Tony Martin after winning the race. Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
Racegoers celebrate a wining bet in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle on day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Trainer Paul Nicholls celebrates as Harry Cobden on board Stage Star wins the Turners Novices Chase during day three of the Cheltenham Festival 2023 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16th. Photograph: by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Turners Novices' Chase, racegoers watch the action.
Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
A racegoer in Irish themed attire studies the form on day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Racegoers sit on benches on day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Denis Courtney, originally from Cork, ponders his next bet
Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
Racegoers from Lincolnshire enjoying the atmosphere.
Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
John Gleeson riding A Dream to Share celebrates winning the Champion Bumper during day two of the Cheltenham Festival 2023 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 15th. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Owner Michael O’Leary celebrates after winning with Delta Work. Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
Harry Cobden riding Thyme White is unseated during the Grand Annual Chase during day two of the Cheltenham Festival 2023 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 15th. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Racegoers react during the Glenfarclas Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Jockey Ben Jones after falling from Francky Du Berlais during the Glenfarclas Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Paul Townend on Energumene celebrates after winning the Champion Chase. Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
Owner Tony Bloom (L) and trainer Willie Mullins react after horse Energumene won the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images
Winning connections from the owners and stable staff celebrate the victory of Harry Skelton riding Langer Dan to victory in The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle during day two of the Cheltenham Festival. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Harry Skelton riding Langer Dan (C, blue/yellow) on their way to victory in The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle during day two of the Cheltenham Festival on March 15th. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
A pizza-loving racegoer attends Cheltenham Festival wearing a Domino's pizza inspired fascinator. Photograph: Stuart C Wilson/Getty Images
Jockey Davy Russell in the weighing room on day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Racegoers on day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Owner of The Real Whacker, David Mann, celebrates with jockey Sam Twiston-Davies after its victory in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Owners and trainers watch The Real Whacker win the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase during day two of the Cheltenham Festival. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Sam Twiston-Davies prays for the photo finish to go his way ceafter riding The Real Whacker to win The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase during day two of the Cheltenham Festival. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Racegoer reacts during the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Paul Townend riding Impaire Et Passe celebrates winning the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Racegoers enjoying Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival.
Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
Racegoers arrive ahead of day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
A horse on the gallops ahead of day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Racegoers celebrate as Patrick Mullins onboard Gaillard Du Mesnil comes home to win. Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
Runners and riders in action during The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Runners and riders in action during The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Members of trainer Gordon Elliott’s staff celebrate Michael O’Sullivan onboard Jazzy Matty winning the race. Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning The Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on Honeysuckle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Jockey Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry de Bromhead celebrate after winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle with Honeysuckle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Racegoers cheer on the runners and riders as they watch the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Racegoers watching the second race of the day, the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase, on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
Gulls in flight as horses exercise on the gallops ahead of day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
A racegoer celebrates a winning bet in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle on day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
A racegoer celebrates a winning bet in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle on day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photograph: PA
The policy was made in consultation with senior members of the Gloucestershire Police and The Jockey Club. The allocation of limited policing resources is believed to be one factor behind these drug detection measures.
The Jockey Club did not disclose the quantity of drugs surrendered by punters during this year’s festival.
According to The Jockey Club’s website: “Cheltenham racecourse does not condone the use or dealing of drugs on site. We employ drug detection dogs at all our entrances and raceways and selected events.
“Drug enforcement laws are as applicable on this site as they are anywhere else in the country and any infringements of these laws will be taken very seriously. Our policy on drugs is based on both prevention and enforcement with the active targeting of those customers seeking to deal drugs to others.”
In a statement, a spokeswoman from The Jockey Club said: “It’s fantastic that thousands of people are enjoying themselves and coming to see the pinnacle of our sport. We have no reason to expect anything but responsible behaviour from spectators and of course we have a clear code of conduct for attendees and take a zero tolerance approach to any form of antisocial behaviour.”
A representative from St John’s Ambulance said they treated no patients during this year’s festival who presented with symptoms that indicated drug use.
