Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival revellers to get flip flops
New measures are being brought in for this year’s Cheltenham Festival to crack down on thieves and antisocial behaviour.
Cheltenham Community Safety Partnership, which comprises police, councils, fire and health services is working with drinks firm Diageo, which owns one of the event sponsors Guinness, to curb petty crime during Gold Cup week.
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Kauto Star in 2009
The proposal will employ marshals, to manage people taking taxis, and teams to hand out flip-flops to drunken revellers.
Inspector Richard Boyles, of Gloucestershire Police said: “We are delighted Diageo are working closely with us to try to keep problems to a minimum during what is, for the constabulary, a very busy week.”
More than £1 million in cash will change hands over the week.
Last year, the Echo revealed racecourse bosses paid £293,902 to police for extra security from pickpockets at the 2009 event.
Among the new initiatives to be brought in this year are:
- Posters in nightclubs, taxi offices, railway stations and restaurants reminding visitors to look after their valuables
- Automatic messages to Bluetooth mobiles welcoming visitors and including advice on how to avoid crime
- Marshals, paid for by Diageo, to patrol the taxi rank in the Promenade all week. They will also be fitted with individual security cameras
- Flip-flops handed out to revellers to stop women cutting their feet.
Mark Baird, Diageo’s head of social responsibility, said: “We are pleased to join forces with the community safety partnership at such a key time.”
17 Comments
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by Alien Life UK, Here and There
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 11:34PM
“Paid the police £293,902 for extra security to prevent pick pockets!!
Did they get value for money ??
Did anyone get convicted? I think if I was paying out this sum would want some firm statistics.”
by Ian, Cheltenham
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 9:03PM
“I would think sending everyone with blue tooth devices a message would help picpocketers! As everyone will arrive at the course get a message and promptly get their phones out! Pickpockets sit and watch where the phones get put back and pick the easy targets!!! Daft idea in my opinion!”
by Big Ron, Gloucester
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 6:10PM
“Definitely the best week of the year. Forget Christmas, the Festival is where it's at. And forget Kauto and Denman, this is Imperial Commanders' year!”
by Amy, Southam
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 5:23PM
“Why flip flops?????”
by Local, Town Centre
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 5:01PM
“I thikn its pathetic that the best the community safety partnership can do is hand out a few leaflets and some flip flops - what a waste of somebodys money !
Whilst going to the pub with freinds after racing is a sociable event, shouldnt the 'partnership' be working towards the prevention of the mass drunkensess in the pubs and clubs which is contrary to the licensing laws,rather than just letting it happen and then putting a band-aid on the gaping wound that is Cheltenham night life during race week ?
Yes its good for the local economy, but a great deal of money is generated by licensees acting illegally and with apparent impunity.
Rant over.”
by denman, cheltenham
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 4:28PM
“I agree with Kauto except his tipping skills are limited. Put your savings on Denman and go Denmania in the evening with a few beers. Bring it on”
by Gandhi's left flip-flop, Glos
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 4:22PM
“Is this so when the revellers go "I need a drink, my mouth is like the inside of.........."
I'll get my coat.......
(But if Diageo nick that slogan remember where you heard it first!)”
by Si, chelt
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 3:51PM
“Whilst I agree that raceweek brings a great deal of welcome business to the town, it does sadden me to see the place during and after they have left. Rubbish everywhere, damage, piles of sick, broken drinking glasses.
Last year I picked my wife up from Town at 10.30pm as she was at a work colleages leaving do. I had 3 people try and get into my car as they thought it was a taxi, another one fell on the bonnet of my car and all around me there was complete chaos! Why cant they respect the place. Most racegoers are well behaved but as always its the drunken idiots who bring a bad name to all.”
by Haha, Cheltenham
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 3:03PM
“Kauto, Cheltenham - Sad sad person :(
Every week is the best week of the year :)”
by Mary S (can't find the earplugs), Chelts
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 1:57PM
“Actually, Paddy, I don't live anywhere near the racecourse but that's not what I was complaining about ;) And just because I live in Cheltenham doesn't mean racegoers should just be left to run riot around the place, I couldn't care less if they get steaming drunk, as long as us hardworking locals can get some sleep. Why is that a bad thing?
All the same, enjoy the races if you are coming, I can't afford to go myself so have a flutter for me!”