Police have praised racegoers, residents and partner agencies after this year’s Cheltenham Festival passed largely without incident despite attracting more than 226,000 visitors over four days.
A total of 226,223 people attended the 2026 festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, with officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary describing the event as a safe and enjoyable experience for those attending.
Only four arrests were made at the racecourse during the entire event.
Arrests during the festival
Police confirmed the following incidents took place across the four days of racing:
- Tuesday 10 March: A 24-year-old man from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after being found with around 20–30 individual bags of cocaine and £500 in cash. He was taken into custody and later released on bail pending further enquiries.
- Wednesday 11 March: A 29-year-old woman from Derby, Kyana Binning of Uttoxeter New Road, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after providing a positive roadside breath test in one of the racecourse car parks. She was later charged with being in charge of a motor vehicle while above the legal alcohol limit and released on bail. She is due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14 April.
- Thursday 12 March: A 49-year-old man from Walsall was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault by touching after a report that he had slapped a woman on the bottom. He was taken into custody and released under investigation.
- Friday 13 March: A 33-year-old man from Staffordshire was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent after two men were injured when a bottle was thrown through the air. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Increased police presence across Cheltenham
Alongside policing the racecourse itself, officers carried out enhanced patrols across Cheltenham town centre throughout the festival.
Police and PCSOs conducted high-visibility patrols around transport hubs, licensed venues and popular walking routes, while also focusing on areas that have previously experienced anti-social behaviour.
Particular attention was given to communities living near the racecourse, which can be affected by the behaviour of some visitors during the busy festival week.
E-scooter drink-driving awareness
Officers from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team also carried out an operation targeting the anti-social use of e-scooters in the Prestbury area.
Racegoers using hired scooters were invited to take voluntary breath tests as part of an awareness campaign highlighting that e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles and drink-driving laws apply.
More than 50 people took part, with many registering readings above the legal drink-drive limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
Night-time safety operation
An enhanced night-time economy operation also ran during the festival, with additional officers patrolling the town centre.
The initiative included Project Vigilant, which focuses on tackling violence and intimidation against women and girls.
The operation involved CCTV monitoring from the Force Control Room alongside plain-clothed and uniformed officers on patrol in Cheltenham.
During the deployment, officers intervened in several safeguarding situations, including stopping three men who were seen harassing women and checking the details of a vehicle after concerns the male occupant was posing as a fake taxi driver.
Two further arrests were made during these operations: one on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and another on suspicion of sexual assault after a report that a woman had been touched without consent.
Police praise cooperation
Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said the success of the policing operation was thanks to cooperation from the public and those attending the festival.
She said:
“I’m pleased that we had another successful year policing the Cheltenham Festival and I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the officers, staff, partner agencies, members of the public and racegoers who played a part in making the festival a safe event.
“I’d also like to say thank you to our Cheltenham communities and to everyone who travelled to join us for this year’s races. Your support and co-operation helped create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.”