POLICE planning for the annual Creamfields Music Festival near Warrington is well underway as they prepare for thousands of music fans to descend on the area over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Cheshire Police say they are working closely alongside the organisers of the 3-day event to ensure it is a safe and secure one.
Planning for the policing of the event started earlier this year and a dedicated team of police officers and police staff are involved in the process.
It is the seventh time that the event has taken place in Daresbury and planning for the policing of the event and around 55,000 music fans from across the UK and further a field are expected to attend. It will be the fifth time that ticketholders will be able to camp on the site overnight.
Chief Inspector Bev Raistrick said: “Cheshire Police has been working closely alongside the organisers of the event, the two local authorities, parish councils and other agencies as part of the planning process to ensure it runs safely and smoothly.
“We are also continuing to 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.
“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.
“This is invaluable as they are able to share a variety of information and experience with us.”
The policing operation starts at 7am on Friday 24 August and will run until around 2pm on Monday 27 August.
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 for the area 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.
Chief Inspector Raistrick added: “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.
“There were no reports of any serious incidents during last year?s festival and, as a result of meticulous planning and a high-profile police presence, a good natured crowd was able to enjoy the event safely.
“We take all incidents of crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour extremely seriously. 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.
Chief Inspector Raistrick concluded: “Festival goers are reminded that security will be tight at the event. 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 and festival goers are advised to place any drugs or weapons into these bins.
“Anyone found with drugs or weapons, having not placed them into the bins, will be dealt with by police.”
To find out more about the policing of this year?s event log onto http://www.cheshire.police.uk/ and click on the special Creamfields 2012 section for any advice and information.
Thirty eight people were arrested at last year’s event.
Pictures show muddy revellers at last year’s Creamfields
