Police set out plan for Global Gathering

The dance festival, now in its 13th year at the airfield, is expecting 50,000 visitors this year and the force has a plan in place to help keep them safe.

It will be operating a drugs detection unit, as in previous years, which will include specialist officers and search dogs at the entrance to reduce the number of illegal substances taken into the site.

There will also be a specialist forensic team from the Home Office on site working to identify substances found in amnesty bins and through police confiscations. Their on-site presence means that substances can be analysed immediately instead of being sent off-site for forensic testing.

Police officers, Pcss and members of the special constabulary will be on duty throughout the weekend to prevent crime, protect festival goers and help ensure that they have a good time.

There is also a comprehensive traffic management plan in place to enable everyone to get to and from the event as smoothly as possible and to minimise disruption for local people.

Chief Insp Ian Whiting, who is leading the operation, said: “We want to make sure that everyone has a good time when they visit Warwickshire, and that involves keeping them safe and making sure that they protect themselves and their property.

“It’s not all about drugs, but we do know that an event of this size will attract some people who take or seek to supply substances which are not only illegal but could be dangerous.

“That is why we have an overt search operation at the entrance to the event, this year with a total of 15 dogs ready to sniff out drugs. Regular visitors will have met them before, and will know that they will react if you have drugs on you or if you have had recent contact with them.

“As well as the well known, illegal drugs there are a number of emerging, so-called legal highs and Home Office staff will be working to identify any which we have not encountered before and assess the risk they pose.”

Police are also asking festival goers to be vigilant in regard to robbery and theft.

Chief Inspector Whiting continued: “Keep vigilant and be aware of who is around you, leave your valuables at home and any which you have to bring with you keep hidden from sight. When you leave your car in the car park make sure it is locked.

“Incidents of robbery and vehicle crime are, thankfully, low but if you are the one affected the impact on you is high. It’s all common sense really.”

Getting to and from the event will, inevitably, take time because of the volume of traffic on the roads.

Motorists are asked to follow direction signs which will be in place on all routes into the Stratford area and to make sure you have plenty of water, emergency supplies and a charged mobile phone available if they are stuck in their car for longer than they expect.

Those attending are also reminded to stay hydrated and protected from sun with temperatures expected to be very hot.

Warwickshire Police will be tweeting from the event.

@WP_GlobalCops