CHESHIRE Police has been working closely with local communities to minimise any disruption in the Daresbury area when an estimated 60,000 music fans arrive for the Creamfields festival.
They have also been involved in talks with organisers of the event.
Chief Inspector Inspector Sarah Heath and Inspector Barry Brown will be responsible for policing in the local communities surrounding the site throughout the event.
Inspector Brown said: “Local officers will be out in the community with the aim of minimizing disruption for local residents over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“As with any large-scale event, some level of disruption is to be expected. However, we want to reassure residents that we will be doing all we can to reduce the impact of the event on the local area.
“We will take robust action against anyone committing crime, disorder or anti-social behaviour and we will work closely alongside other agencies to solve any issues regarding traffic, noise or litter.”
Over the bank holiday weekend it will be “business as usual” within the local policing areas of Warrington, Runcorn and Widnes so the dedicated team of community officers is above and beyond the normal service that residents would receive.
Extra officers will be drafted in to police the festival and they will be working shifts. This will enable local officers to continue with their normal duties – patrolling the surrounding areas of Warrington, Runcorn and Widnes.
Ticket holders are being urged to be mindful of the fact that the site lies in a residential area and to be respectful towards neighbouring properties as they enter and leave the site.
Chief Inspector Heath said: “Festival goers are being reminded that the area around the site is an ‘Alcohol Free Zone’ and this means that the drinking of alcohol in the street outside the event will not be tolerated.
“Police will take positive action against anyone found to be breaking the rules. Alcohol will be confiscated and appropriate action will be taken.”
This year’s event opens on Friday August 28. The majority of festival goers are likely to be heading for the site on Friday and Saturday morning and leaving on Monday morning. These are the times when residents can expect some congestion on local roads.
A Creamfields’ residents’ phone line will again be set up over the weekend and any residents who have issues or concerns arising directly from the event (such as noise, litter, traffic etc) should call 020 7009 3440. This phone line is being staffed by the organisers of the event throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.
Local residents who have any policing issues or concerns arising directly from the event are being asked to call 101 and inform the operator that it is a Creamfields related issue.
To find out more about the policing of the event, visit the Cheshire Police website – www.cheshire.police.uk
Picture: Music fans at a previous festival
1 Comment
Although we’ve never really seen or had any trouble around our way other than the odd drunken festival goer staggering past and us being able to hear it in the distance. BUT I still don’t think it’s right that the festival is allowed to take place every year on the August bank holiday weekend especially as it now spans 4 days. The noise level alone must be awful for the people who live closer to it. Are they given ear defenders, sleeping tablets and compensation for having their own, what should be a peaceful, bank holiday ruined?