POLICE are already working hard making preparations for this year’s Creamfields festival which will again be held at Daresbury – the ninth to have been held on the greenfield site near Warrington.
Around 65,000 music fans from across the UK are expected to descend on Daresbury for the bank holiday weekend – with about 30,000 arriving on Friday, August 22 and a further 35,000 the following day.Superintendent Bev Raistrick, who will be in command of the police operation to ensure the fans – and nearby residents – have a safe weekend, said: “Cheshire Police works closely with the organisers of the event, local authorities, parish councils and other agencies as part of the planning process to ensure it runs safely and smoothly.
“As part of the planning process we continue to liaise with other police forces, who have similar experience of policing large scale events such as this, and with organisers of other large scale music festivals.”
The policing operation starts at 7am on the Friday and will run until around 2pm on Monday August 25.
Throughout the course of the weekend officers have been assigned a variety of roles. Within the site officers will be dealing with any incidents of crime and disorder, regularly patrolling the campsite to provide reassurance to campers and to deter thieves and supporting the security staff.
Externally, officers will be involved with traffic management and policing in the local community that surrounds the site.
The two local policing inspectors from Runcorn and Warrington South will once again be working throughout the course of the weekend with a team of dedicated community officers to deal with any issues that might arise in the local community, to minimise any disruption to local residents and to reassure members of the public.
Superintendent Raistrick added: “We work closely alongside the local community to minimise any disruption to local residents and to provide reassurance and advice before, during and after the event – addressing any issues or concerns they might have.
“We are working with the organisers to ensure that the good nature of the event that we have seen over the past few years continues this year.
“Positive action will be taken against anyone who is found to be breaking the law or causing a nuisance.”
A police station will be set up on the site and festival goers are urged to report any incidents over the weekend to officers at the on-site police station. This will be clearly signposted within the event arena.
Inspector Stewart Sheer, who is involved in planning the policing of the event, said: “Festival goers are reminded that security will be tight. Security measures will be in place and it is important that those attending are aware of these.
“Drug use will not be tolerated and positive action will be taken by police. Searches are a condition of entry and drugs dogs will be used at the entrances to the site.
“Bins will be provided at the entrances for festival goers to place any drugs or weapons into. Anyone found with drugs or weapons, having not placed them into the bins, will be dealt with by police.
“I would advise anyone considering bringing any such items to not bring them in the first place.”
To find out more about the policing of this year’s event visit the Cheshire Police website http://www.cheshire.police.uk/and click on the special Creamfields 2014 section for advice and information.
Pictured: Creamfields…organisers will be hoping there won’t be so much mud this year.
Getting ready for Creamfields again
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