'legal high' ban, and limited alcohol warning for Bestival

Organisations from the island's Community Safety Partnership who are working together for a safe experience for 50,000 people this weekend at Bestival's Year of the Fantastic which starts tomorrow at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight have announced people will not be allowed entry to the site if they attempt to bring 'legal highs' into the Bestival.

The island's Community Safety Partnership, includes Hampshire Constabulary, Isle of Wight Council and NHS Isle of Wight are responsible for safety outside Robin Hill Country Park, with public safety within the festival the responsibility of organisers and security.

NHS Chief Medical Advisor and Director of Public Health for the island, Dr Jenifer Smith, said: "We want Bestival goers to enjoy themselves but also to do what they can to make sure those around them are able to do likewise, such as sensible alcohol consumption."

People will not be allowed entry to the site if they attempt to bring 'legal highs' into the Bestival. They also face being ejected from the Bestival if found carrying 'legal highs' that they refuse to surrender to security staff.

Smith continues, "This summer holiday there have been a spate of people through our Emergency Department and admitted to our psychiatric ward who have taken legal highs such as Ivory Wave, NRG-1 and Vanilla Sky. These products are untested and unknown to medical and nursing staff; have unpredictable and sometimes violent results; and may cause long term mental and physical health problems. We just do not know enough about these. If you are offered or tempted to take these products you run the risk of becoming very ill."

Rather hypocritically one legal drug, alcohol, which is well known to cause long term mental and physical health problems will still be readily available on site. Once again this year the amount of alcohol brought on site by Bestivallers has also been limited, with festival goers only allowed to enter with (for consumption in the camping field) 2 cases of beer, 1 bottle of spirits and 1 bottle of wine per person. Anyone bringing more than this will be asked to leave any other alcohol outside the event. Once attendees have entered the event they cannot re-enter with more alcohol supplies.

Please remember to drink responsibly and if you do over indulge, it's always worth drinking plenty of water before heading to bed.

Police officers from Hampshire Constabulary will at Bestival campsite entrance gates, and will have the right to search anyone suspected of being in possession of drugs.

Amnesty bins are provided so Bestival goers can volunteer to give away any controlled substances before they enter the event. Anyone arrested on suspicion of illegal drugs supply offence will not be allowed into the Bestival arena again as they will have breached a condition of entry.

Hampshire Constabulary Isle of Wight Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Terry Clawson said: "The use of illegal drugs at major events on the Isle of Wight will not be tolerated by the police. Officers with years of experience in identifying and seizing illegal drugs in such situations will respond to information and allegations of offences during the event."

"Our operations to disrupt drugs supplies are regarded as best practice nationally and we are supported by dog handlers from other police forces working at the Bestival."

Bestival will again benefit from the service of experienced drugs referral workers who offer a referral service and access to treatment for people at risk from using illegal and harmful substances.

The police have also confirmed that they are using a range of methods to remind the audience of crime prevention measures, which can reduce opportunities for the small number of criminals who may try to spoil other people's enjoyment of the Bestival.

The north area of the Bestival's green one campsite will host a 24-hour police office where crime can be reported, with Bestival's medical hospital located next to the police campsite office.

Police officers and staff will be on high visibility foot and cycle patrols throughout the campsite during the day and night to provide reassurance. Crime prevention lanyards are distributed to Bestival goers who can use them to secure mobile phones and wallets to their bodies. These lanyards are given out free by police.

Inspector Terry Clawson said, "We wish to remind people at Bestival to follow crime prevention and personal safety advice. Opportunist criminals can target large crowds of people enjoying themselves because they expect potential victims to be less aware of the risks to their own safety and property. Our most important pieces of advice to people are:

Do not accept drinks or substances from strangers
Camp and stay with friends during the event
Do not keep all your cash together
Protect your mobile phone
Mark your property

Inspector Terry Clawson added, "Bestival is now in its seventh year at Robin Hill and we work well with the organisers so the event can retain a good reputation for its safe atmosphere and friendly audience. The Police have not had to deal with any critical emergencies at Bestival since it started in 2004. However, we are never complacent in making thorough plans with our partner agencies to prevent crime and disorder when such a large group of people gather in one place.

"Our approach is based on tried and tested principles of neighbourhood policing as the Bestival forms a temporary community of 50,000 people that presents similar challenges to policing any town or village. Extra police officers and staff are on duty between Thursday and Monday to provide reassurance and a swift response to any incidents reported at Bestival."

For this year's theme Bestival will become a world of Fantasy and acts already confirmed include Dizzee Rascal and Hot Chip on Friday, The Flaming Lips and Roxy Music on Saturday, and The Prodigy on Sunday, plus Wailers, Wild Beats, Mumford & Sons, Chic, Tricky, The Temper Trap, The xx, Richie Hawtin presents Plastikman Live, Fever Ray, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Gil Scott-Heron, Chase & Status, Echo and the Bunnymen, Simian Mobile Disco, Delphic, Rolf Harris, Howard Jones, Marc Almond, and of course festival regulars The Cuban Brothers. Plus many more.

Joining host Rob da Bank behind the decks with DJ sets will be La Roux and Dead Guy (DJ set, Magda, Zane Lowe, Audio Bullys, Gilles Peterson, Don Letts, Mylo, Dave Clarke, Erol Alkan, Aeroplane, DJ Yoda, Annie Mac, David Rodigan, Ewan Pearson, Dixon, Greg Wilson, Nathan Fake, Huw Stephens, Mary Anne Hobbs, Jaguar Skills, Joy Orbison, Horse Meat Disco, DJ Derek, and more.

For the line-up details as available please click here.

Tickets for this year's Bestival have sold out.

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