The star studded line up peforming at the festival over the weekend include the likes of The Stone Roses, Tom Jones, The Killers, Nicki Minaj, Tinie Tempah, Example, Olly Murs, Professor Green and Ed Sheeran.
Staffordshire Police say they are well prepared for the event, utilising Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras – that scan car registration numbers and immediately return a hit when a number plate is matched to information on police databases – on the roads around Weston Park and on entry gates.
The system searches for drivers that have no insurance, tax or are driving while disqualified, or wanted by police, or the vehicle is stolen.
On-site CCTV will also be in use, including infra-red cameras. They will be monitored throughout the event allowing officers to be directed to any suspicious incidents.
Supt Dave Holdway, one of the event commanders, said: “We are well-used to looking after thousands of people who come to V, but it’s important for everyone to do their bit in protecting their valuables.
“The cameras will let us target the small minority of people who come to commit crime and to reduce the chance of offences taking place.
Our message to criminals is that we will be watching you and you will be arrested if you are caught on camera.
“We hope the cameras will be a reassurance to festival-goers so they feel safe in the knowledge that we will be working to further reduce crime at this event.”
Safety top of the list
Safety will be top of the list this year again with West Midlands Ambulance Service working in partnership with Venture Event Medical Management and St. John Ambulance, to ensure first-class medical services are available onsite for the thousands attending festival, making it one of the safest festivals in the country.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “It’s been a steady start for the staff and volunteers since the gates opened to campers on Friday.
“So far, 159 people have been treated at the on-site medical centre collectively by St. John Ambulance volunteers and West Midlands Ambulance Service staff. On-site ambulance crews around Weston Park tended to a further 50 patients with only three patients requiring hospital treatment which included a woman with a head injury and a man with a suspected fractured ankle.
“Fortunately, the vast majority of cases were minor injuries, including trips, bumps and falls.
“It’s been a soggy start for campers at V Festival. If you’re heading there today, it’s really important that you don’t forget your wellies as it’s muddy underfoot. With the weather forecast predicting some sunshine today, sun cream is also an essential. As always, keep yourself topped up with plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and, above all, have fun!”
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