An anti-drugs warning has been issued to all heading for this year’s V Festival in Staffordshire. Visitors to the event at Weston Park, which runs on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August, must allow themselves to be searched by police or security staff as a condition of entry to the site.
Ticket holders will be subject to drugs searches at each of the festival’s entrances, say police. People working at the site will also undergo routine checks. Anyone found in possession of, or dealing, drugs will be positively dealt with. Substances will be seized and offenders may well be put before the next available court.
The same message is also being issued to those caught with fake drugs – they risk arrest and being put before a magistrate. Legal highs are not permitted on site and anyone found with them after passing the drugs disposal bins may risk being ejected from the site after having their wrist bands and tickets seized.
Staffordshire Police has a proven track record when it comes to policing the V Festival and other major events, and will not tolerate crime or anti-social behaviour. Extensive CCTV coverage will be used to target offenders across the whole site, including car parks.
Chief Inspector Pete Owen, one of the event commanders, said: “Drugs are not welcome at V. If you take them, or attempt to sell them, you will be caught and dealt with.
“Drug misuse is dangerous and causes a great deal of misery to the wider community and will not be tolerated. We want visitors to the festival to enjoy themselves in a safe, drug-free environment.
“V has built a national reputation for its trouble-free, low-crime atmosphere and is rightly regarded as one of the UK’s safest festivals.”
Police are also warning revellers to be aware of the danger of drink/drugs driving as it puts the lives of the driver, and others, at risk. Mistakenly, people think that if they have been asleep, they will be safe to drive.
“Officers will again breathalyse anyone suspected of drink driving when they leave the site as part of our roads policing operation,” added Supt Holdway.
“It is a foolish mistake to think you are fit to drive on just a few hours sleep – especially after consuming alcohol or taking drugs. You not only put your own life at risk, but the lives of the people you care about and other road users.”
Penalties for drink or drug driving include an automatic 12-month motoring ban – for a first offence – a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months imprisonment.
Anyone with information on drugs misuse at the festival is urged to report it by going to the police post on site, or by texting vfest (then message) to 60066 or calling anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Visit www.staffordshire.police.uk/vfestival for more.
