SALISBURY Racecourse has joined the local Pubwatch scheme ahead of the new racing season.

The racecourse has this year contracted a new company, Venture Security, which is a local security firm who already have a number of contracts in the Salisbury area.

Managing Director Paul Howe said: “We have worked really hard with staff at the racecourse to ensure that we understand what the requirements and expectations of race goers are, and I am hoping we can help make this a really special venue for people to attend."

The Salisbury Pubwatch scheme is a local network for Salisbury that has been set up to support licensed premises.

It is a voluntary organisation and its aim is to help reduce alcohol related crime and create a safer drinking environment, benefitting both licensee and customer.

The scheme is supported by Wiltshire Police licensing unit and is made up of various members across the city who meet on a regular basis to discuss issues.

Sergeant Dave Whitby, from the Southern Wiltshire Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We have previously worked with the racecourse to deal with some minor alcohol and anti-social behaviour issues, particularly linked to the evening events, and I am looking forward to continuing this with Venture, who we already have a good relationship with from policing the night time economy in Salisbury.

“Race days are a significant event in the local community and bring a number of visitors to the area who all spend money within the local economy, however, we recognise that a small minority are involved in drugs misuse and excessive consumption of alcohol.

“We are pleased that the venue has joined the local Pubwatch scheme, which has a ‘banned from one, banned from all’ policy.

"We will be working with staff from the racecourse and Venture, to run some proactive operations to detect and deter drug use at races and assist with anybody acting in an unacceptable manner."

For more information on Salisbury Pubwatch, visit salisbury.pubwatchcentral.org.uk.