Organisations from the IW Community Safety Partnership are working together to help ensure the Isle of Wight Festival remains a safe experience for the 55,000 people expected to attend this year.
The festival is due to be held at Seaclose Park in Newport for four days of music and entertainment between Thursday, June 10 and Monday, June 14, 2010.
Public safety within the events main arena is the responsibility of event organisers and their security staff, who will be working closely with the police and partner agencies to ensure the safety of both festival-goers and the general public alike.
IW Council, NHS and Hampshire Police are co-operating closely with event promoters Solo and security staff to maintain a friendly, relaxed atmosphere by preventing crime and disorder and maintaining public safety.
IW Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector for the Newport area, Terry Clawson, said: “Extra police officers are on foot and cycle patrols around the festival campsite and the Fairlee Road area so any issues can be dealt with swiftly and effectively. These include officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from the Newport Safer Neighbourhoods teams who will be familiar faces to local residents. The standard level of policing across the Isle of Wight will be reinforced by the presence of extra officers during the festival.”
Inspector Clawson said: “Police work alongside organisers and security companies in planning a robust operation to prevent the consequences of drugs misuse affecting people’s welfare. The Isle of Wight Festival’s policy on drugs offences is recognised as best practice by police forces nationally because it is unobtrusive and not confrontational. People found to be at risk from substance misuse can be given further health advice and referred to specialist drugs counsellors.
“Illegal substances are not tolerated at the festival. People found carrying drugs will be arrested, and those intending to supply drugs will be prosecuted, which can include the seizing of assets.”
Sales of substances known as ‘legal highs’ are prohibited at the Festival. If reports of any sales are received, necessary action can be taken as deemed appropriate.
Inspector Clawson said: “Although the festival has very low levels of crime, we are not complacent about preventing thefts from people camping at the event.”
Campers are being offered free biodegradable security bags so they can secure any valuables. Crime prevention lanyards will be distributed to festival-goers who can use them to secure mobile phones and wallets to their bodies. The number of thefts at the Festival has been low in recent years, and the lanyards are designed to help make sure this trend continues. Officers will distribute the lanyards in person and take the opportunity to highlight extra crime prevention advice
Don’t keep all your cash together
Protect your mobile phone
Mark your property
Camp near friends
People caught trading in counterfeit wristbands will be arrested and face prosecution. A man received a two-year prison sentence at the Island’s Crown Court in April 2009 for his role in a conspiracy to supply counterfeit wristbands at the 2007 Isle of Wight Festival. There were no reported problems in 2009 and 2008, and the police welcome the continued use of increased security measures by the organisers. Police are working with Isle of Wight Council to deal with any reports of counterfeit goods and unlicensed traders.
Chief Medical Adviser and Director of Public Health for the Island Dr Jenifer Smith said: “We want concert-goers to enjoy themselves. They will be in the open air for most of the day and it will be important to take precautions against the risk of sunburn and drinking alcohol in excess. We would ask people to remember to apply sun cream and drink plenty of water especially if it is a hot weekend. We recognise that it can be difficult to clean your hands and it can help to keep a small bottle of hand gel with you to reduce the risk of infections. Our ambulance, medical, pharmacy and Health Improvement Team staff will be on standby to assist those who need our support but we hope that everyone has a good time.”
There is a traffic management plan in place on roads surrounding the Isle of Wight Festival site. For details, go to Isle of Wight Council’s website: http://www.iwight.com/just_visiting/news/2010/festival/residents.asp
Inspector Terry Clawson added: “We are reminding motorists to respect the one-way traffic restriction in Fairlee Road to help keep the large numbers of pedestrians safe. This year, Fairlee Road will again be shut temporarily on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights as people leave the festival’s main arena. This closure will affect any motorists who use unofficial car parks in the area. They will find themselves locked in the unofficial car parks for up to two hours after the event closes. People need to bear that in mind if they park anywhere in and off Fairlee Road.”
