Surrey Police issue safety advice to racegoers ahead of Epsom Derby in the wake of Manchester terror attack

Racegoers have also been asked to report any suspicious behaviour at the ‘greatest flat race in the world’, but Surrey Police insists these measures are “not in response to any specific intelligence in relation to the event”.

The force has offered the following advice to racegoers having spent months planning and preparing for the Investec Derby Festival, which comprises Ladies day on Friday, June 2 and Derby Day itself on Saturday, June 3.

Terrorism – reporting suspicious behaviour

Suspicious activity is anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn't seem to fit in with day-to-day life - let us decide if it is important.

Don’t worry about wasting our time. Action will only be taken after appropriate checks have been made.

Examples of suspicious activity could include someone:

• Who appears to be carrying out surveillance in person or online; taking photos of security arrangements for example;
• Who has illegal firearms or other unlawful weapons or has shown an interest in getting them;
• Who is visiting the dark web or is ordering suspicious items online;
• Who has bought or hired a vehicle in suspicious circumstances;
• Who has bought or stored large amounts of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons, or is researching acquiring these items;
• Whose behaviour has changed into a violent extremist nature;
• Who is carrying out suspicious financial transactions;
• Who holds passports or other formal identification in different names for no obvious reasons.

Theft

Visitors can fall victim to petty crime, particularly pick pocketing. To help make sure you don’t fall victim remember the following:

• Don't bring unnecessary bags to the event
• Don't leave your property, including bags and mobile phones unattended and keep valuables close at all times
• Keep wallets and purses out of sight
• Remain vigilant and be aware of those around you when placing bets and collecting winnings
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to officers in and around the course

Traffic advice

To manage traffic demands and minimise disruption to the residents of Epsom, many roads around Epsom Downs will have temporary alterations.

Waterloo Road will be closed around Epsom Railway Station as part of plans to accommodate all visitors arriving in the centre of Epsom on Derby Day. Traffic is also likely to remain slow around Station Approach during peak hours.

This year there will be a new enclosure on The Hill twice the size of the family space in previous years

Chief Superintendent Jerry Westerman, said: “This year in light of recent attacks in Manchester, Westminster and around Europe and elsewhere around the world we have reviewed our policing approach with the racecourse and with our partner agencies. People attending will notice tighter security measures and firearms officers in and around the racecourse grounds.

“I would like to stress that this is not in response to any specific intelligence in relation to the event.

"While security measures have been put in place we would still like to remind people to be vigilant and report anything suspicious. There will be greater numbers of police and security staff on duty and those attending should anticipate being searched on entry in order to keep everyone safe.”

From May: The Derby Festival is set to get much bigger with double the space for families in Hillside Enclosure at Epsom Downs racecourse

From May: Famous hill at Epsom Downs Racecourse to be renamed Poundland Hill in new sponsorship deal for Derby Festival

Earlier this month, festival organisers unveiled plans for a new enclosure on The Hill which is twice the size of the family space in previous years.

A new sponsorship deal with High Street discount trader Poundland was also announced, which sees the free section of the festival renamed ‘Poundland Hill’ – a move criticised for inflaming class tensions by racing pundits.

Pic credit: Michael Holden (@MHolden90)

Chief Superintendent Westerman added: “The Epsom Derby is a fantastic event which attracts thousands of people and spectators from around the world and I am confident that this year’s festival will be no exception.”

From June 2016: Riot police called to bottle-throwing brawl between racegoers at Epsom Derby​

At last year’s event, drunken bottle-throwing racegoers clashed with riot police near the entertainment stage set up on the hill. Eleven people were charged after the mass brawl led to a police officer’s tooth being knocked out at the Derby last June.