THE annual Creamfields dance music festival returns to Daresbury, near Warrington for an eighth year over the August bank holiday weekend – hoping it will not turn out to be a mudbath like last year.
Around 58,000 fans from across the UK and further afield are expected to attend and Cheshire Police and the organisers have been planning for some time to ensure the event will be safe and secure.
In particular, they will be hoping there is no repeat of the bad weather which last year led to thousands of fans being trapped in muddy fields and forced organisers to abandon the event after the first day.
Police are also trying to minimise disturbance for nearby residents.
Superintendent Bev Raistrick 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 Friday August 23 and will run until around 2pm on Monday August 26.
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.
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 there.
Inspector Stewart Sheer, who is involved in planning the policing of the event, said: “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 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.”
Picture: Happy fans in the mud at last year’s festival.
Police gear up for Creamfields festival
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
