A dedicated policing plan is in place to ensure residents and visitors stay safe on the Isle of Wight during this year’s Festival season. Large numbers of people will gather at Seaclose Park in Newport this week to enjoy the popular Isle of Wight Festival, which runs from Thursday 16th September until Sunday 19th September.
Hampshire Constabulary is maintaining its close co-operation with festival organisers, Solo, and our partner agencies to keep crime as low possible so that festival-goers can enjoy a fun and safe event.
Working together for a safe and secure festival
Hampshire Constabulary’s Isle of Wight Festival police commander, Chief Superintendent Dave Powell, said,
“The Isle of Wight Festival has maintained a reputation for having low levels of crime and providing a family-friendly atmosphere which continues to attract visitors every summer.
“Despite the event being cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are expecting to see over 50,000 people to attend throughout the duration of the Festival, with approximately 30,000 camping.
“While incidents of low-level crime occurred at the last Isle of Wight Festival back in 2019, this represented a reduction in reported crime from previous years. This is a positive movement and one which is in-keeping with the festival’s reputation for being relaxed and family-friendly.
“We want festival-goers to enjoy themselves safely and without fear of becoming a victim of crime.
“Working with the event organisers, we are committed to protecting those attending and the wider population on the Island”
‘Crime Prevention advice to help keep you safe at the Festival’
Hampshire Constabulary’s Crime Prevention Advisors said,
“Rest assured that before the festival has even begun, work is well underway between Hampshire Constabulary and its partners to develop a plan to ensure the event runs safely and smoothly.
“We would encourage festival-goers to take note of the advice on our social media channels which will be promoted during the event. We hope that our simple top tips will help those in attendance keep safe and enjoy the festival.
“There is also a wealth of information in keeping you, friends/family and your personal belongings safe while attending the festival on the official Isle of Wight Festival website as well as further information on the Festival Safe website.
“These safety messages help to raise awareness and supports the police in maintaining a low level of crime throughout the event, please do have a read before you arrive and during your time at the site.
“You can follow our @IOWightPolice Twitter channel and #FestivalSafe hashtag to pick up handy pieces of personal safety advice.”
Thefts from tents
2019’s Isle of Wight festival saw a significant drop (59 per cent) in the number of overall thefts reported, compared to 2018’s festival. While this is a positive, we advise members of the public not to be complacent and to remain vigilant to the risks of leaving valuables in tents.
Although we strongly advise leaving valuables at home, we understand you may have to bring some with you. If you do; only bring what you can afford to lose. You can keep them safe at night by keeping them in your sleeping bag while you sleep. It is not just a phone you could be losing, but sentimental photographs and memories too.
We would also advise festival-goers to make a list of all the serial and model numbers for electrical items and register their possessions with IMMOBILISE. This ensures they are properly marked, so police can identify the owners of recovered property with ease.
Please visit www.immobilise.com [down at time of publishing] for further details. For more crime prevention advice, please visit Festival Safe and the organiser’s Website.
Road safety and supporting the traffic management plan
Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) Inspector Andrew Tester said,
“Teamwork involving all agencies is a crucial part of ensuring the safety of Island residents and visitors on the roads during festival season, and we will be supporting our partners’ traffic management plan.
“It is one of the busiest weeks of the year for the Island – and this could be exacerbated by the fact that this is likely to be one of the first festivals that individuals have been able to enjoy since the pandemic – so some delays across the Island will be inevitable. I would remind all road users to allow more time for their journeys during the week of the festival.
“Our officers will be taking a robust approach to dealing with any motorists who we believe are putting lives at risk by drink or drug-driving throughout their attendance at the festival.”
Keeping residents and festival-goers informed
Hampshire Constabulary is supporting Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads, traffic management contractors CTM, and festival promoters, Solo, in communicating traffic information via local radio, news websites, and social media. Below are a list of suggested social media accounts to visit for updates on traffic, crime, and other safety messages:
- Island Roads Twitter: @IslandRoadsIOW
- Council Twitter: @iwight
- Hampshire Constabulary Twitter: @HantsPolice@HantsPolRoads@IOWightPolice
- Hampshire Constabulary Facebook: @HantsPolice@HantsPolRoads@IOWightPolice
Protecting people from illegal drugs and psychoactive substances
Superintendent Clare Jenkins said,
“The Isle of Wight Festival organisers are retaining a clear and tough stance against illegal drugs. Their use and sale will not be condoned or tolerated at the festival, and people suspected of carrying and supplying illegal drugs will be searched.
“This is part of the event security team’s drug disruption plans, including their use of passive drugs detection dogs and searches covering points of entry.
“Amnesty bins will be provided by the event organisers in advance of entry points to give people the opportunity to surrender illegal substances.
“Security staff will be targeting those involved in the supply and possession. You could be arrested, or lose your festival ticket and be banned from the site for the remainder of the weekend.”
New psychoactive substances, previously known as ‘legal highs’, remain prohibited at the festival. They are now illegal to produce and supply. If reports of any sales arise, festival organisers will take action to stop them. Substances such as Nitrous Oxide – known more commonly as “Laughing Gas” or “NOS” fall into this category. These substances can be labelled as “air fresheners”, “herbal incense”, “research chemicals”, “plant food”, and “not for human consumption”. It is clear that some of these substances are far from harmless. They often contain a range of compounds which are rarely consistent, and are different to those advertised on the packet or at the point of sale.
Recent security threats across the UK
We have reviewed, and will continue to review, our security plans and capability around all pre-planned events taking place in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including this year’s Festival. It is normal procedure for us to work with event organisers, and third-party security companies, in the run up to all large-scale events to ensure they are run safely and securely.
As such, we have secured specialist, dedicated resources, which would be available to the Force to support in the event of a perceived widespread security threat at the festival. We urge the public to be alert but not alarmed – the police service and our partners are doing everything we can to help protect the security of our citizens, public institutions, critical national infrastructure, and businesses and places. In addition, we advise the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity to police, in confidence on 0800 789 321, or online at www.gov.uk/ACT . In an emergency, members of the public should always call 999.
Policing Newport and the rest of the Isle of Wight
Superintendent Clare Jenkins said,
“The safety and security of people elsewhere on the Isle of Wight remains an equally essential priority for local policing. “Our response to emergencies, crime and disorder across the rest of the Island will be the same.
“Anyone should call 999 in an emergency as usual.
“In Newport, extra high-visibility patrols will again be focused on the Fairlee Road area and surrounding side roads to provide reassurance and responses to any concerns raised by residents.
“They can call on the services of their regular officers and PCSOs from the local Newport Neighbourhood Policing Team.”
News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, in their own words. Ed
Image: © Festival Cop / Hampshire Constabulary
