A MAJOR police operation, spanning four days, will be mounted to ensure security at the Creamfields dance festival at Daresbury, near Warrington, over the August Bank Holiday weekend
Planning for the is well underway and senior officers are working closely alongside the organisers to ensure a safe and secure event.
It is the fourth time the festival has been held at Daresbury, on land owned by former Greenalls brewery boss Lord Peter Daresbury.
As last year, ticket-holders will be able to camp overnight. Around 30,000 music fans across the UK are expected to attend the event each day.
And as last year, there has been furious opposition from nearby residents who believe the site is unsuitable for a major “pop” festival attracting thousands of people.
They say their lives are made a misery over the weekend through noise, disturbance, traffic and litter.
Planning for the policing of the event started months ago and a dedicated team of officers are involved in the process.
Inspector Giles Pierce, who is leading this year’s planning team, said: “The team has been working closely alongside the event organisers, local authorities, parish councils, local residents and other agencies to ensure the event runs safely and smoothly.
“Our main aim is to ensure the safety of festival-goers and to minimise disruption for the local community.
“As part of the process the planning team has liaised with forces in other areas, who have similar experience of policing large scale events such as this, and with organisers of other large scale music festivals including Glastonbury. This has been invaluable as they have been able to share a variety of information and experience with us.”
The policing operation starts at 6pm on Friday August 28 and will run until around 4pm on Monday August 31.
Security will be tight and police are urging all those attending the event to be aware of the security measures that will be in place.
Inspector Pierce said: “Searches are a condition of entry and drugs dogs will be used at the entrances to the site. Anyone found with drugs or weapons, having not placed them into the amnesty bins, which will be provided at the entrance to the event arena, will be dealt with by police.
“A number of measures have been put in place by the force to deal with any incidents of crime and disorder whilst the festival is in progress.
“Police will take positive action against anyone intent on committing a crime – or being involved in crime and disorder.
More details about the policing of the event can be found on the website website www.cheshire.police.uk
