Cumbria Police is on-site at Kendal Calling to ‘reduce drug-related’ offences and ensure a ‘safe and fun festival’.

Police, festival organisers, security teams and other key agencies are now on-site, following months of close partnership working, to ensure festival goers have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Officers are currently on-site, with drug detection dogs, carrying out sweeps of the grounds and surrounding areas. These sweeps not only act as a deterrent to attendees thinking of bringing drugs into the festival but also assist in ‘reducing drug-related offences’, which has been proved in previous years. This type of activity will be conducted regularly until the festival ends.

As well as the drug dogs onsite, there will also be general-purpose dogs assisting police with any public order issues. They are on-site to help keep attendees safe and deter offending.

As with previous years, there will be drug amnesty bins situated at the entrances. Should anyone be found in possession of illegal drugs past these bins onsite, it will result in automatic ejection from the festival and potential criminal consequences.

Inspector Mike Taylor, Public Order and Public Safety Bronze Commander for Kendal Calling said: “Our main priority is to ensure everyone has a safe and fun festival. Lots of partnership work has taken place prior to the festival, with the safety of attendees always the top priority.

“Our officers, staff and police dogs work tirelessly in the lead up, and throughout the festival, to protect the public and reduce the number of illegal substances brought onto site. They also deal with incidents such as high-risk missing people, violence and keeping the peace.

“This year, much like years past, we have a fantastic team supporting the event including Special Constables, officers and our dog section.”

Inspector Taylor also explained anyone attending the festival for the first time or looking for festival safety advice, can find information on Kendal Calling’s website and festivalsafe.com.

Throughout the duration of the festival weekend Cumbria Police’s social media will be up-to-date with information on personal safety advice, travel disruption, local policing activity and the police dogs’ activity.

“Remember – do not take valuable, irreplaceable items on-site with you and make sure items such as your mobile phone is kept with you at all times. I hope everyone has a safe, fun and enjoyable festival,” Inspector Taylor added.

Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Mike Johnson, said: “Kendal Calling continues to grow year on year and our main priority is that everyone at the festival has a positive and safe weekend.

“Kendal Calling’s organisers and the Police have worked closely to ensure that the public can attend the festival, feel safe throughout and feel confident to report any issues or concerns they have.

“I’ll be attending the festival with the drugs dogs at the entrance, along with the animal welfare scheme volunteers the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner leads on, Friday 28 July to see part of the work that partners have done to keep the festival safe.

“I would also urge anyone who is considering taking illegal substances into the event to think twice about doing this – please enjoy the festival responsibly and safely.”

Top advice for a safer festival:

1.    Don’t take irreplaceable valuables on-site – if you do have valuables with you make sure they are kept with you at all times.

2.    Only bring drugs medically prescribed to you onto the site and carry your prescriptions in case you are searched.

3.    If you see anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable on-site report it to an officer, event security or the event staff.

4.    Bring an old mobile phone and a charging pod – there are also charging bays on site.

5.    Do not leave your drinks unattended as a precaution.

6.    Arrange a rendezvous site each night with your friends, and make sure you all get back to your tents safely.

7.    Look out for one another

Cumbria Police’s and partner social media accounts to follow:

Twitter:

• @Cumbriapolice
• @inthefieldsLIVE
• @KendalCalling
• @Policedogunit

Facebook:

• /Cumbriapolice
• /kendalcalling

Instagram:

• @Cumbriacops
• @Kendalcalling