Cazoo Derby Festival: Another successful year of policing

The Cazoo Derby Festival has been a policing success as the first large public event for Surrey Police since the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the 22^nd year in a row that Surrey Police has managed the policing aspect of the prestigious racing event.

Following the global coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event was run at a reduced capacity, with around 4000 attendees able to attend on each day over the weekend. 

Those officers present included staff from our dog unit, specialist drone team and roads policing unit who worked with The Jockey Club as organisers to ensure that those who attended enjoyed the event safely. We worked alongside our colleagues at South East Coast Ambulance, St John Ambulance, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council as well as the course’s security staff.

Superintendent Graham Barnett said “We have had another successful year of policing at the Derby this year despite some challenging circumstances and difficult weather.

“I would like to thank those members of the public who were able to attend this year for abiding by the coronavirus restrictions that have been in place, which allowed everyone to enjoy the event safely.

"Equally I am grateful to those who amended their usual Derby festival plans, to watch or listen to the event elsewhere this year, which ensured that capacities in and around the racecourse were safe.

“I would also like to thank The Jockey Club and our other public sector partners who we continue to work with annually on this event.”

Inspector Jon Vale, Borough Commander for Epsom and Ewell, said: “A lot of planning with our local partners went into ensuring that the Derby went ahead whilst also abiding by current covid restrictions.

“Local residents will have noticed an increased police presence in Epsom town centre over the weekend. This was a precautionary measure and I am pleased that the event passed without a significant incident and a negative impact on the local community.”