Cops say ‘take pleasure in your night time’ as Grand National punters set to neck 350,000 pints
Fans are expected to neck 350,000 pints, 62,000 vodka shots, 30,000 cocktails and 10,000 bottles of fizz as the Grand National goes ‘Ibiza’
The Grand National is going ‘Ibiza’ this year(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Cops have given the green light for a Grand National party after reassuring revellers it is not a crime to be a happy drunk.
Police said they do not mind racing fans hitting the bottle at the three-day Aintree bash as long as folk ‘have fun’ and ‘go home’. But anyone caught fighting should expect a night in the cells.
Fans are expected to neck 350,000 pints, 62,000 vodka shots, 30,000 cocktails and 10,000 bottles of fizz as the three-day racing thrash goes ‘Ibiza’.
The course will have its own beach club straight from the Mediterranean party isle for the meeting, so spectators can watch the action on giant screens from their sunloungers, then dance to club anthems between races.
BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong is performing an exclusive set. It is also set to feature the world’s shortest pub crawl with three boozers within 300 yards of each other.
Local fashion boutiques report a 600% rise in tanning lotion sales and 70% explosion in trade in fake eyelashes ahead of the festival, which starts on Thursday.
In nine minutes, analysts said the four-mile, two-furlong and 74-yard National is expected to pump at least £12m into the UK economy in tax revenue, and up to £100m into the coffers of Merseyside businesses.
Police chiefs pledged their no-nonsense policing will make sure the race meeting is safe and fun for all. People who behave themselves will have nothing to fear.
Chief Insp Kevin Chatterton, leading the operation, said: “There will be a highly visible and increased police presence in and around the area of the racecourse. But the public should not be alarmed by this.
“We have specially trained officers as part of the police response – enhanced training to spot when something just doesn’t look right.
“If they see anything suspicious they’ll act on it. Uniform and plainclothes will be mingling with the crowd and armed police.
“People get drunk but by and large the vast majority of people there have fun and go home. Go and enjoy your night.
“Anti-social behaviour, hate crime, disorder and other criminal activity will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly. Don’t end it with a fight, potentially getting arrested and end up in a cell.”
Airspace around the course will be closed on race days to stop illegal gamblers trying to sneak on bets during TV broadcast delays and crooks looking for weaknesses in security.
Drug dumping bins will be deployed. Anyone caught possessing or supplying cocaine will be arrested. Folk trying to get in using forged badges or counterfeit tickets will be turned away.
Chief Insp Chatterton said despite vast crowds, the Grand National was a ‘very safe’ event and ‘arrests have drastically reduced’ over the years.
“We have no intelligence there’s going to be any disruption, any protest,” he added.
