1:10pm Saturday 4th September 2010
By Miranda Newey
NICOLA Linder, Creamfields lead planner, has been preparing for the two-day dance event since January.
She explains that police officers on rest days are called in for support from across the county, rather than drain areas of their resources.
“Ninety-eight per cent of Creamfields is planning and two per cent is doing it,’ she said “It is about getting people with the skills you need just in case. There are sexual offences trained officers on duty, plain-clothed, custody workers and detectives.
“But what is rewarding is meeting the team and hearing there haven’t been any issues, that you had everything in place and it has been dealt with.”
Signs warning people that drugs are not tolerated in Creamfields should deter criminals from trying to enter the event says DC Jamie Thompson, a drugs liaison officer.
Speaking on Saturday, he said: “I am pleased with how the searches are going. It sends out a strong message that drugs won’t be tolerated. We have given people ample warning and the people who have ignored the warning have been dealt with fairly.”
Sniffer dogs from forces across the north west were drafted in to assist officers. Anyone thought to have been near drugs would undergo a search or be asked to go into a changing room for a more detailed search.
Insp Andy Ross, from Warrington Central NPU, took on the responsibility of policing the arena area.
After completing a rigorous Public Order Commanders programme, Insp Ross is used to dealing with large numbers of people and the challenges it can throw at him.
He said the dynamic at the festival is very different to the neighbourhood policing unit as working in a residential area involves dealing with victims as well as working to help the community.
He said that dealing with 40,000 festivalgoers at Creamfields, over three days, means that planning and training has got to be spot on.
During the weekend he had regular meetings with representatives from organisations such as Loud Sound and Halton Borough Council.
Issues are discussed and action taken.
Insp Ross’ team monitored CCTV cameras of the site and sent patrols around hot spot crime areas such as the campsite and made sure any drug users were stopped and searched on entering the arena.
Preparation and advice for the weekend was passed on from other police forces who have worked at festivals.
Warrington South NPU Insp Gary McIntyre was responsible for making sure residents in the area were happy and he kept a watchful eye for any community issues which could stem from the event.
On Saturday afternoon the police hotline had received seven calls since it opened on Friday – a drop on previous years.
A number of calls were people seeking advice on what ID to take or how villagers can avoid traffic.
He said: “It is really hard work, you don’t stop, you are constantly seeing things you want to improve and you are keeping people on course.
“The festivalgoers are in a really good mood. On the way in you have to remind them to keep their music down and respect villagers or they will be stopped by police.”
His work involved looking out for any ticket touts, taxis dropping people off in the wrong places and preventing people from getting out of their cars and drinking while in traffic jams.
A key part of his role has been setting up community groups before and after the event to find out what residents are concerned about.
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