As the Cheltenham Festival 2026 approaches, women’s safety in the town remains a key focus for the authorities.
The four-day horse racing showpiece, which runs from Tuesday (March 10) to Friday (March 13), will bring thousands of spectators to the town.
It sees a surge in the number of people in the town centre and nightlife areas at peak times, with the Festival considered a highlight of the Cheltenham calendar.
More than 220,000 visitors are expected to descend on Cheltenham next week, placing pressure on local services and policing.
Alongside all the excitement there comes an ugly truth from surveys and research suggesting many women feel unsafe during race week.
A survey conducted by GlosWomen in 2023 and last year found that more than three-quarters of females did not feel safe in Cheltenham during race week, with 85% choosing to avoid the town centre completely.
Also from this survey it has been reported that over half of women experienced sexual comments or catcalling, while around a third said they had experienced unwanted physical contact during race week.
With large crowds and busy town centre during race week, volunteer safety groups report that they often see an increase in incidents.
Groups such as the Cheltenham Guardians play an important role in supporting people throughout the town centre, they work tirelessly to provide visible and approachable presence in the street to listen, support and act.
The Cheltenham Guardians group consists of 48 female volunteers that patrols the town centre during busy nights. They say their presence becomes greater during festival week when crowds are significantly larger.
Tara Rowe, Operations Director at the Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team, said: “During the Cheltenham Festival, we’re deploying additional all-female Guardian patrol teams to provide visible reassurance, deter anti-social behaviour, and offer immediate support to anyone feeling vulnerable.
“Our Nightcare Hub at 1 Royal Crescent will serve as a dedicated safe space where women and girls can access welfare services, charge phones, or simply take a moment away from the crowds.
“We collaborate closely with Gloucestershire Police, local venues and other partners to ensure rapid responses to any concerns, including harassment or intimidation.
“Our goal is to empower everyone to enjoy the event safely, while tackling violence against women and girls head-on through our #IndiaProtocol initiatives.”
The group works alongside local authorities such as and emergency services to ensure people get home safely and offer all the support those who may feel vulnerable in the town centre.
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “The March festival is an incredibly important occasion for Cheltenham, and we’re pleased to once again warmly welcome racegoers and visitors to our town.
“During race week, we’ll continue our efforts to help keep Cheltenham clean and welcoming while addressing key issues such as illegal taxi activity and anti-social behaviour.
“Keeping women and girls safe remains a central focus. Licensed venues are supporting the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative to ensure anyone who feels unsafe or vulnerable can access help quickly and discreetly. Gloucestershire Police will also be carrying out operation vigilant which involves a mix of plain clothed and uniformed officers identifying individuals displaying signs of predatory behaviour.”
Gloucestershire police say a range of measure are in place to ensure the festival remains safe for visitors.
Superintendent James Glansfield from the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Local Policing Area said “Officers will be taking part in additional patrols, during both day and night, as our main aim is to ensure racegoers and those living in Cheltenham are able to enjoy themselves but are also responsible and stay safe and I’d like to ask those attending to please keep this in mind.”
Andre Klein, assistant general manager of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “The Cheltenham Festival is an incredible occasion that sees Cheltenham become the centre of the sporting world for four days each March. At the racecourse, we are committed to ensuring the Festival is an enjoyable and safe event for our local residents as well as our racegoers.
“By working closely with our local partners, our ‘Love our Turf’ campaign will return once again to help ensure that racegoers heading into town have a positive experience while minimising disruption to local residents. We want the Cheltenham Festival to be an event we can all be proud to host as we welcome thousands of visitors to this great town.”
