'Substantial quantity' of drugs seized ahead of Creamfields
The festival gets underway today
Last updated 22nd Aug 2024
Cheshire Police say a 'substantial quantity' of drugs and nitrous oxide has been seized by specialist officers ahead of the start of Creamfields.
Around 80,000 people are expected to descend on Daresbury over the next few days to watch stars like Peggy Gou and Calvin Harris.
Searches of the site have been carried out ahead of the festival getting underway.
Class A and B drugs as well as nitrous oxide have been recovered and more searches will be carried out before the start this afternoon.
There will be an increased police presence, in tandem with Creamfields' security, to make sure people don't trespass and cause any other security issues.
Superintendent Sarah Heath, who is overseeing the police 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.
"Amnesty bins are in place"
"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."
National Highways is also issuing advice ahead of the festival - with traffic set to be busy around the M56 and M6.
Drivers are being urged to plan their journeys, leave plenty of time, follow dedicated signs and not rely on sat nav's as they could lead down unsuitable and narrow roads.
There will be extra officers around junction 11 of the M56 to Daresbury to stop festival goers from walking on the motorway - an issue which has happened in previous years.
Any drivers who stop on the hard shoulder or live lanes of the motorway could risk an on-the-spot fine, as could people who walk along the motorway.
Gary Farrell, National Highways' senior network planner, said:
"We will be doing all we can to manage traffic around the event and keep drivers on the move - festival goers and other drivers can help themselves by planning their journeys and keeping themselves up to date with traffic information.
"It is dangerous and illegal"
"We would like to remind everyone that the motorway is no place for pedestrians - it is dangerous and illegal and having pedestrians on the network can cause delays for legitimate motorway users. Drivers wanting to pick people up should use the dedicated collection points off the motorway network which will be clearly signed."
People travelling from the north, south and east of the venue will be directed to use junction 11, with traffic from the west pointed to junction 12.
Car parks to the site will open at midday today and close when the festival wraps up at 2pm on Monday.