The Derby Festival, Epsom Downs

Reducing police costs at Epsom Downs Racecourse

G4S Events has worked to provide a secure environment for all visitors, staff and participants at the Derby Festival on behalf of Epsom Downs Racecourse (EDR) for 20 years.

Since 2008, due to a change in the policing strategy, venue organisers are now starting to bear the full costs of policing events. With this pressure on EDR to reduce police presence on the site, G4S worked with EDR, the police and the local authorities to create a security and stewarding plan that covered the diverse challenges and objectives of the event. G4S was asked to increase the level of security and crowd management provided, including the provision of a high profile response team, trained to detain using Plasticuffs.

Results

• G4S provided a safe, secure and welcoming environment for the 130,000 estimated visitors
• G4S’s presence was instrumental in a 50% reduction in the number of police normally required to provide a safe environment for all racegoers
• G4S’s proven track record has given EDR the confidence to further reduce reliance on the police

Testimonial

Steve Tully, Group Security Manager at Jockey Club Racecourse comments “The quality of personnel was vital to the success of the operation at the Epsom Derby. To ensure the high standard of service required was achieved, G4S introduced site specific training and familiarisation for all staff, as well as response training, including physical restraint, to a level accepted by local authorities and the police.”

“The successful partnership between EDR, Surrey Police and G4S has seen us make a significant step towards reducing the numbers of police needed on site. We see the success of the 2008 and 2009 events paving the way for further reductions in the future.”