Agenda item
Discussion about Race Days
Join your Ward Councillors alongside representatives from York Racecourse, North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council to give feedback on your experience of Race Days including crowd and traffic management before and after racing.
Minutes:
1. Discussion about Race Days
Councillor Kilbane stated that race days in York are a regular item for public meetings and proposed that the race day activities within the York Racecourse are discussed first and then activities outside the grounds. Cllr Kilbane invited James Brennan, York Racecourse Head of Marketing to outline activities within the grounds.
- York Racecourse started operating in 1731 and is now hosting high quality events that resonate on a global stage.
- We are well into the racing season with the finale on 10-11 of October.
- McMillan is the main nominated York Racecourse charity and the dedicated Raceday event took place back in June.
- Three other nominated charity partners are: Clifton Green Primary where we have helped to build the outdoor playground, Move the Masses walking buddy project using the Knavesmire as one of the walking routes and The Collective Sharehouse community foodbank supporting over 150 residents.
- Yorkshire based suppliers and businesses are contracted to help facilitate race days.
- Over 300,000 visitors attend through the racing season. Vast majority of visitors behave responsibly without causing concerns.
- We can influence what happens within the York Racecourse curtilage.
At this point Cllr Kilbane invited questions in respect of operation within the York Racecourse grounds.
Q – Does the curtilage include the Bishopthorpe Road car park? I live nearby and observe the issue with Uber drivers dropping off and picking up racegoers from the road and causing traffic. Racegoers meander near the entrance to the car park waiting for a taxi. There is no dedicated pick up/drop off space and Uber taxis should be allowed within the car park grounds, as opposed to blocking the road.
A – In terms of the car park the ownership is shared between York Racecourse and City of York Council (CYC). There is a designated space for taxis within car park A. If you book an Uber on a race day their App will direct you to car park A. Uber App worked last year, however we are not sure if it operates similarly during this season. We are not able to control Uber drivers, however we take your point and will investigate using car park C as the pick up and drop off point.
Q – A resident of Scarcroft Hill raised an issue with racegoers carrying alcohol to race meetings.
A – The picnic enclosure is a dedicated area where you can bring your own drinks, and we allow that. Racegoers are not allowed to take out alcohol purchased within York Racecourse.
Q - A resident stated that they witnessed many plastic and glass bottles, which did not look like picnic items, taken out from York Racecourse and discarded on the floor.
A – We will investigate and raise it with our security. By large people should not be taking alcohol out from York Racecourse.
At this point Cllr Kilbane invited Darren Hobson, CYC Traffic Management to give an outline of arrangements on the race day.
- New provider contracted to operate traffic management on race days. As a result some teething issues experienced during the first few race meetings.
- Sim Balk Lane traffic arrangements modified on a race day.
At this point Insp Nicholas Plumb outlined the Police Team activities and involvement on the race day.
- Historically officers from two other commands were involved in staffing race days. Currently only the York Command team is involved. Review of resources had to take place due to capacity demands over the summer. Drug, violence and knife related crime in other parts of the city will have impact on resources.
- Significant decrease in crime and ASB post races was recorded.
- The team is data driven and deployment of resources is informed by reports.
- Conversation with York Racecourse and CYC in respect of post-race incidents and policing is ongoing.
- Not bringing resources from outside, but uplifting number of Special Constables within the command. They will be better placed to be involved as they will know the area.
Q - A resident experienced difficulties in contacting the Police via 101 and asked about any alternative way to report non-emergency issues. The same person raised a concern about low Police Officer numbers patrolling the area on a race day.
A – The way to report an emergency is via telephoning 999. Nationally the response time for 101 calls has improved. The improved web portal can be used to report crime. The website provides details of the local Police Team and when their next public engagement event will be taking place. NYP Team is data driven and reporting informs deployment of our resources.
Q – A resident asked if plastic barriers could be reinstated on race days at entrances to alleyways on both sides of Curzon Terrace? In previous years staffed barriers helped to funnel racegoers towards the city centre and prevent issues such as urinating. The same person mentioned a fight in the alleyway that was reported recently and felt that presence of a barrier would prevent the issue from happening.
A - We will investigate this with Traffic Management. Appropriate signage should be erected at those locations on race days.
Q – Could Police Officers staff alleyway entrances and use the Police tape as a barrier?
A – We must manage demands and resources across York. The default position is for officers to patrol the area such as Scarcroft Hill on race days. Putting barriers up would not be our responsibility, however we could help with the tape. Traffic Management will take back the request for barriers.
Q – A residents spoke about the incident on 31st of May, when approx. 30 young men fought on Scarcroft Hill causing significant damage to parked vehicles. Many people under influence of alcohol are moving through the area on a race day and it was felt that better policing would prevent the issue from happening. Police presence in the afternoon, after the race meeting is important as a deterrent to prevent issues such as this fight from happening.
A – This type of large public disorder should be reported via 999 for immediate Police response. Over the past 9 months we have seen increase of knife crime in other parts of command and must ensure other areas feel secure. The default position on a race day is that officers patrol the area, but they could be called should there be an incident elsewhere in the command.
Q - A resident raised a concern about vehicle traffic on a race day and in particular incident on the 28th when a large coach got stuck trying to navigate Albemarle Road. Cllr Burton mentioned an issue with minibuses that was brought to her attention by a resident of Trafalgar Street. Resident sticker system used during Royal Ascot seemed to work.
A – We received a notification of that incident with coach on Albemarle Road and addressed it the traffic management company. We don’t want large buses going there due to limited carriageway space; however, vehicles have the right to use Albemarle Road. An option to close Albemarle Road on race days was previously rejected by residents for access reasons. Coach parking is significantly signed from all approaches to the York Racecourse. We believe that this coach driver ended up there accidentally.
Cllr Kilbane suggested that temporary advisory signage with information about road width be explored and to revisit the option of Albemarle Road closure on race days.
A resident who has been living on Telford Terrace for over 25 years suggested that a small number of Police Officers at a right time, such as between 4:30pm and 6:30pm would act as a deterrent and prevent many issues such as urinating, or fights from happening. Officers would help to guide racegoers along Albemarle Road and towards the Mount. Should there be a knife incident elsewhere in the city the officers could then be dispatched there, but no Police presence at that location on a race day is asking for trouble.
A – That is our default time to attend on race days. It would not always be Police Officers but could be PCSO’s. There are currently 5 Police Specials, and the plan is to increase that. Central Government is providing specific funding to uplift number of officers, so that Police Constable footprint can be increased. This increased number of Police Specials will be in place by this time next year. In terms of PCSO’s there are around 80 of them across North Yorkshire, but not as many as few years ago.
A comment was made about a person urinating in front of a child.
A - Urinating is covered in other powers, however exposing oneself in front of a child is a serious offence. Please do ring the Police and we will respond. The person would be arrested for exposing in front of a child.
Cllr Kilbane added that CYC adopted enforcement powers around public urination.
Q – A question was asked about Police presence at football matches and how does that compare to horse races?
A- It is a matter of categorising threats and risks and deploying resources accordingly. In respect of football matches we would look at previous reports and fans rivalry. Over the last York City season the Police attended only 4 games.
The same threat versus risk analysis is undertaken prior to race days. We would look at the expected attendance figures and York Racecourse can ask for support, and we would come and asses it. There are different aspects of how the Police would respond within and outside York Racecourse grounds.
Q – A resident stated that not everyone is aware of how to report urinating, or people being drunk and disorderly at lunchtime. A strong message to everyone to report it as you see it should be issued. Other events such as York Pride distribute a letter from the organiser with information on how and where to report issues.
A – We will investigate that.
Inspector Chapman referred to similar discussions in other meetings he attended in York and Selby. Tonight’s meeting has a good turnout, and the Police want to be actively involved in the community and encourage reporting.
Q – A resident asked what phone number should they ring to report crime?
A – Please ring telephone number 101 for non-emergency and 999 if crime is taking place.
Q – A resident asked about the York Racecourse sale of alcohol licence and when was it last reviewed? Perhaps shortening the sale of alcohol hours would alleviate some of the issues?
A – York Racecourse is a licensed premises and we have regular visits from CYC Licencing Officer. We undertake actions to comply with our sale of alcohol licence such as challenging anyone who looks under the age of 25 and operating our bars. CYC Licencing are positive about actions we undertake to comply with our licence. We shrink bars as people leave which helps to spread out the exit of people as some of them stay a bit longer. Our Champagne Bar is the last to remain open on the race day.
Q – Could we request a premises licence review? I have visited other places i.e. Hong Kong and neither seems to have this type of issues.
A – We have social challenges around drinking in the UK. There are customer led expectations in relation to alcohol. Our license was last reviewed 12 months ago. We don’t condone anti-social behaviour and would rather everyone be nice. We comply with our licence and would refuse to sell alcohol to a person who appears to be drunk, but we cannot be responsible for a behaviour of over 300,000 people per annum.
A comment was made about the need for more social conscience from York Racecourse in relation to the impact of race days on local people. A small number of additional resources would go a long way.
A – We do fund the Portaloo’s, signage, are looking at development of additional toilets. We engage with the community and would prefer to reject the assertion that we are not community minded.
A resident praised the local Police Team for aiding when they required to go out in the car on a race day. Police presence was very useful on that occasion, and the resident would encourage reporting, so that officers are available on race days.
Police Inspector added that the default tasking is for officers to patrol Scarcroft Hill. He added that drone technology is being explored to assist with policing post races and dispatch of officers to incidents.
A comment was made that York is the best organised top to bottom comparing to other horse racing events in the country.
Q – A resident asked if earlier bar closure could be trialled at one of the race meetings?
A – This was tried before, however resulted in binge drinking and people having double shots and pints just before the bars closure. Staggered bar closure is much better, and the Police supports this approach.
Q – A resident asked about 4hour delays of number 9 bus at Rougier Street bus stop on race days?
A – We will need to investigate it.
Q - A resident of the Residence praised York Racecourse Head of Operations for his responsiveness and support on and prior to race days. Some of the issues mentioned already resonate, however the issue with Uber taxis is increasing. On occasions numerous Uber vehicles drive into the Residents causing congestion and drivers are being aggressive when approached.
This was echoed by a resident of the Chocolate Works who witnessed minibuses parked outside the Co-op.
A – York Racecourse Head of Operations explained that Uber operates an App and its geofence feature prevents picking up/dropping off in certain residential areas. The App worked well during the last season, however it does not seem to work that well this year. He will approach Uber to talk about this and see what can be done to alleviate the issue.
Q – Roads and pavements within the Chocolate Works and Residence are currently private. Could they be adopted for maintenance by the CYC?
A – The land is still owned by the developer. Road and or pavement could be adopted if it meets the current adoptable standards and if the majority of property owners on the street want the road to become adopted. The process for road adoption is explained here https://www.york.gov.uk/RoadAdoption
A comment was made that Uber drivers are somehow able to avoid the geofence and pick up customers from outside the liqueur store.
It was agreed that Councillors and the York Racecourse Head of Operations will approach Uber to address the matter.
It was emphasised that less urgent incidents should be reported to the Police by telephoning 101. In an emergency, such as witnessing people fighting on the street telephoning 999 is the best course of action. It is vital for members of the public to report incidents to the Police to inform deployment of resources.
Councillor Kilbane thanked everyone for their contributions and closed the meeting at 20:35.