Goodwood Racecourse imposes four-pint limit to clamp down on drunken behaviour

A four pint limit has been introduced at Goodwood Racecourse to tackle drunken behaviour.

Alcohol restrictions and increased security have been put in place as racing returns to the track for the first time since a mass brawl left six people in hospital.

Video footage of the flare up - including a man being kicked in the head at the West Sussex racecourse - went viral earlier this month, prompting calls for action to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Now a four-pint booze limit has been imposed at the track, which hosts racing for the first time since the trouble today, tomorrow and Saturday.

Police with sniffer dogs will also be attending every fixture at the track, including the highly popular Glorious Goodwood meeting at the end of July.

Racegoers will also be subject to random bag searches and have the chance to take advantage of 'hydration stations' at every bar.

Alex Eade, Goodwood general manager, said: "The racecourse will be implementing additional measures to help prevent future incidents from occurring.

"Goodwood has also worked closely with the Racecourse Association and all the other Large Independent Racecourses to ensure best practice is shared."

Violence also erupted at Ascot racetrack in Berkshire the Saturday after the Goodwood fight - despite an increase in security.

After the Ascot brawl racegoer Tom Bickley tweeted: "Cracking day at Ascot yesterday. Slightly marred by the mass brawl after the final race.

"Stella fuelled cokeheads who go out their way looking for a fight.

"Similar scenes at Goodwood last week, no place for it at racing."

Another commenting on the video said: "That was sickening to watch, it's not over exaggerating to say we almost witnessed someone dying there."

Goodwood general manager Alex Eade said: "We have concluded that we will make our security teams more visible.

"We have changed some personnel and the composition of our rapid response teams as well as taking even stronger measures to discourage drug use and excessive alcohol consumption."

Videos from the track's meeting on May 5 went viral, rocking the sport. They included a man lying on the ground being kicked in the head.

Mr Eade said: "We have conducted a thorough and extensive review of everything that happened at our first fixture, of our existing policies, and held a detailed consultation with our safety advisory group and Sussex Police."

Goodwood's initial response to the problems at its first meeting of the season were criticised.

Many suggested police numbers and the course's own security - particularly the use of officials not in high-visibility clothing but undercover - was inadequate.

Racegoers have also be encouraged to use "amnesty bins" to dump any prohibited substances.

Mr Eade added: "We have concluded that we will make our security teams more visible.

"We have changed some personnel and the composition of our rapid response teams, as well as taking even stronger measures to discourage drug use and excessive alcohol consumption.

"Sussex Police have agreed to have a presence at each of our future fixtures and we continue to work with them on deploying other covert and overt methods of deterring anti-social behaviour and drug use.

"We are also still helping them with their inquiries following the incident on May 5."

Sussex Police say no arrests had been made regarding the mass brawl, but inquiries were ongoing.