Big 'crime disruption' police op underway at Creamfields in Cheshire
Search teams have been scouring the land looking for drugs and vehicles are being stopped
Up to 80,000 music fans are expected at Creamfields music festival from Thursday, which returns to the area until Sunday 24th August.
During the festival, officers will be supporting Creamfields event and security staff and providing a visible presence to prevent incidents of crime and disorder from occurring.
As part of what police call pre-event disruption work, a number of searches of the site area are carried out by specialist officers. These searches will continue in the run up to the event, as part of the police’s commitment to making it as safe as possible for visitors.
"We're working closely with the event organisers to make the environment hostile to criminals. They're trying new ways all the time and as they adapt, so do we." said Chief Inspector Jamie Lewis, who is overseeing the policing operation for the event.
"What we're looking at with pre-event disrupt is tactics to disrupt people from criminality. To disrupt people bringing illegal substances or items to the event."
The operation extends beyond the festival site’s borders, with a particular focus on supporting communities and trying to minimise the impact of the festival on local residents.
Cheshire Constabulary says it's also supporting Creamfields with their plans to deter trespassing and keep people safe once the festival comes to an end.
There will be an increased police presence working in collaboration with Creamfields’ security who will be enforcing trespassing laws and swiftly addressing any breaches of security.
Chief Inspector Jamie Lewis added:
“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.
“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.
“If you are caught trying to smuggle any drugs into the festival, you will be prosecuted - and the impact of that is long lasting.
“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.”
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