66 arrested at safe and smooth Creamfields

POLICE have given their verdict on the ninth Creamfields music festival to be held at Daresbury, near Warrington – and described how they worked with the event organisers to ensure it ran safety and smoothly.
A total of 66 arrests were made during the three day events – 49 for drugs-related offences and 17 for assault or driving while disqualified.
Tere were 42 cautions issued on the site – all relating to possession of controlled drugs.
In addition, 26 thefts were reported to police – 16 from tents and 10 others.
According to police, nearly 70,000 music fans from across the country attended the event – the majority camping on site.
Inspector Stewart Sheer, who led the planning of the policing of the event said: “This year was the ninth time that the music festival has taken place in Cheshire, and every year the event is getting bigger.
“I would specifically like to thank all of the officers who policed this year’s festival for their continued hard work, along with the officers and staff who have assisted with the planning of this year’s event.
“Our main aim was to ensure the safety of festival goers and to minimize any disruption caused to local residents.”
The policing operation started on Friday when the majority of festival goers arrived.
Within the site officers carried out a variety of tasks – including dealing with any incidents of crime and disorder and regularly patrolling the campsite to provide reassurance to campers.
Externally, officers were involved with traffic management and policing in the local community that surrounds the site.
Local policing inspectors worked throughout the course of the weekend with a team of dedicated community officers to deal with any issues that arose and to minimise any disruption to local residents.
Festival goers were warned before the event that positive action would be taken against anyone caught carrying drugs or weapons.
Searches were a condition of entry and festival goers were asked to place any drugs or weapons in the bins provided at the entrance to the event arena.
Police worked closely with the festival organisers to minimise the impact of the event on local residents.
Over the weekend local policing inspectors Sarah Heath, of Warrington South NPU, and Inspector Barry Brown, of Runcorn NPU, were on hand with a team of dedicated community officers to deal with any issues arising from the event.
Inspector Heath said: “The team of dedicated community officers responded to any calls from local residents and visited anyone who had any issues or concerns.
“I would once again like to thank members of the community for their co-operation and understanding prior to and throughout the event.”
Locally there were complaints about noise – particularly on the Sunday night.
Foul language used by a DJ could be heard across South Warrington.
There were also reports of cut-price alcohol being sold on the site.
People living along the A56 Chester Road complained that the road was plastered with mud carried by contractors’ vehicles leaving the site.
This was still a problem yesterday (Tuesday).