Paddy Power to bring mobile ‘drunk tank’ to Royal Ascot

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is bringing a mobile ‘drunk tank’ to Royal Ascot this week in a bid to “curtail the spate of booze-fuelled brawls at race meetings in the UK”.

Following news that racegoers could be breathalysed or refused admission if they’ve been drinking, Paddy Power has decided to take matters into its own hands by bringing its drunk tank to the streets of Ascot.

Earlier this year, officials at Goodwood racecourse said that they would be putting a cap on alcohol sales after a major fight broke out at the first fixture of the season. In addition, Sussex Police and sniffer dogs will now be present at all race meets to prevent future altercations and drugs being smuggled into the venue.

Paddy Power has said it will be using wheelbarrows to transport drunken punters from Ascot’s streets, giving them time to sober up inside the 6×2 metre drunk tank mounted on a lorry.

The initiative will provide accommodation for fifty tanked up revellers and features a hydraulic tail lift “for ease of loading”.

The bookmaker added: “Every year we watch thousands of dapper gents and glamorous ladies descending on Ascot. But the mere whiff of a Prosecco cork seems to set them off. By the second race they’re rolling around the Royal enclosure like wild animals.

“Our drunk tank team will be patrolling the streets of Ascot to ensure the drunks don’t spoil things for residents and decent race-loving folk”.

Paddy Power is predicting that over £100 million will be placed on bets at Ascot this week.