POLICE have already recovered a substantial quantity of nitrous oxide and class A and B drugs during site searches ahead of the Creamfields music festival at Daresbury.
With an estimated 80,000 music fans attending the UK’s biggest dance music festival, which starts tomorrow (Thursday) and over the Bank Holiday Weekend, Cheshire Constabulary is once again working alongside organisers to ensure that everyone attending stays safe.
Policing the festival is a considerable undertaking for the force. During the festival, officers will be supporting Creamfields event and security staff and providing a visible presence to prevent incidents of crime and disorder from occurring.
As part of their pre-event disruption work, a number of searches of the site area are carried out by specialist officers. So far, they have recovered a substantial quantity of nitrous oxide and class A and B drugs. These searches will continue in the run-up to the event, as part of their commitment to making it as safe as possible for visitors.
The operation extends beyond the festival site’s borders too, with a particular focus on supporting our communities and trying to minimise the impact of the festival on local residents as much as possible.
Cheshire Constabulary is also supporting Creamfields with their plans to deter trespassing and keep people safe once the festival comes to an end.
There will be an increased police presence working in collaboration with Creamfields’ security who will be enforcing trespassing laws and swiftly addressing any breaches of security.
Officers will also be in and around the local community speaking to people about the dangers of trespassing after the event has finished.
Superintendent Sarah Heath, who is overseeing the policing operation for the event, said:“As with previous years, a great deal of time and effort has gone into planning for this event to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what is the biggest event that we help to police in Cheshire.
“Our main aim is to ensure the safety of festival-goers and support the local community. I know that most people who will attend will enjoy the event responsibly.
“The event organisers have a range of security measures in place such as searches before being granted entry and drug dogs are in attendance. Amnesty bins are also in place at entrance points of the site for prohibited items and anyone who does not use these bins but is found to be in possession of drugs or weapons will be dealt with.
“We would also like to remind anyone attending that nitrous oxide is now a class C drug, making possession and sale for recreational purposes a criminal offence. If you are caught trying to smuggle any drugs into the festival, you will be prosecuted – and the impact of that is long-lasting.
“As demonstrated by the substantial quantity of drugs we have already found by carrying out searches of the site, we are committed to staying one step ahead of those who choose to commit these types of offences. Our disruption work is not just focused on the event itself, but continues both before and after the festival, so there really is nowhere to hide.
“We will also not accept any criminal behaviour which poses a risk to event attendees, staff, or the wider community during or after the event. We will be working hard, alongside Creamfields, to make sure everyone can enjoy the festival safely and respectfully.”
To report a non-emergency incident at Creamfields visit www.cheshire.police.uk or call 101. In an emergency always dial 999.
Local residents can find out more information about the event and how it could impact them at www.creamfieldsnorth.com/residents. Concerns can be raised with the festival organisers by calling 0207 6888 900.
