[M]onths of planning are already in effect for police, in the run up to this year’s Kendal Calling.
Police, festival organisers, security teams and other key agencies have been working closely for months to provide a safe and enjoyable festival experience for revellers.
Police are currently in attendance on site, with drugs dogs carrying out strategic sweeps of the grounds and surrounding areas. This type of preventative action saw a dramatic reduction in the number of drug offences committed at the festival last year. A total of 14 arrests were made for drug related offences thanks to the close partnership between the festival, police and the police’s dog section.
This year’s event will see an increased number of working dogs on site, including drugs and general purpose dog, to ensure the safety of festivalgoers, and to deter offending.
Chief Inspector, Andy Wilkinson said: “We want everyone to have a fun and an enjoyable festival. Month of planning between police, festival organisers, security teams and key agencies have taken place with the safety of attendees always the priority.
“This year, much like last, we have a fantastic team including Special Constables and our dog section. All our officers and police dogs work tirelessly throughout the week to reduce offending, including the reduction of illegal substances brought in to the site. They are also there to protect the public dealing with incidents such as missing people reports and to keep the peace.
“We will again be providing amnesty bins, which were widely used last year, and we continue to support the attendance of the The Loop front-of-house testing service, which is a great resource that offers an extra level of safeguarding to festivalgoers.
“The Constabulary are pleased to be launching #NoDrugsNeeded, an online campaign running throughout the festival and beyond. We want to change and challenge people’s perception of drugs use. We should be celebrating people’s ability to have a good time without drugs; enjoying the company of friends and family, the music and the atmosphere. Those who can have a fantastic festival on their own merit with #NoDrugsNeeded are the ultimate winners. The campaign will run on Scapchat with GeoFilters, on Facebook with frames and on Twitter and Instagram.
“For anyone attending the festival for the first time or looking for festival advice, you can find information on Kendal Calling’s website, the Constabulary’s website, and a new website called festivalsafe.com. All of these sites have vital information on keeping yourself safe and what to pack and what not to pack.
“My five pieces of advice for a safe festival are:
- Don’t take valuables on site
- Only bring drugs medically prescribed to you onto site and carry your prescriptions in case you are searched.
- If you see anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable on site report it to an officer or event security.
- Bring an old mobile phone and a charging pod – there are also charging bays on site.
- Arrange a rendezvous site each night with your friends, and make sure you all get back to your tents safely.
“We are looking forward to supporting this year’s event, if you see an officer please do say hello. I wish everyone a brilliant, safe and fun weekend with friends and family.”
