Police appeal to Lockdown Festival goers

Devon and Cornwall Police are working closely with the organisers of this years’ Lockdown music festival which will be held on the Powderham Castle estate near Exeter. This close working will ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone.

The festival, organised by UK Live, runs from Friday 1 September to Sunday 3 September and around 10,000 people are anticipated to attend.

Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, who is in charge of the policing of the event, said: “Our objectives are entirely in line with those of the organisers, in that we want everyone to have a good time and to be safe while they are within the confines of the festival.

“We want to remind festival goers that we take a zero tolerance to drugs. Security, with the use of drug sniffer dogs, will be on the entrance and police will be in attendance inside the festival. Last year we arrested six people for drug offences, one of which resulting in 19-year-old Lewis Rawlinson being charged with Possession with Intent to Supply and recently sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

“We would also urge people to consider their transport. While the Powderham Estate is not far from Exeter, believe me it is a long way away from anywhere when you get to the end of the evening and find yourself in a rural environment in the dark with no ride home.

“We strongly advise people to organise in advance being dropped off and picked up from outside the site whether by using public transport, a taxi or by friends of family. The A379 is narrow and twisty with unsighted bends and not well lit, so we do not advise walking on it at night or trying to hitch lifts.

“For the first time this year, we will be working with the National Crime Agency to ensure it is a safe and secure event. The NCA, who have a great deal of experience working at festivals, will be providing staff who will work with our officers.”

Entertainment at the festival includes live music and DJ sets which will be on until 1am. Devon County Council have set up a ‘noise control’ number 07391 538604 whereby residents nearby can call if they have any issues with noise.

C/Insp Leisk added: “The organisers are aware that there may be some concerns about noise levels. Devon County Council have set up a ‘noise control’ number 07391 538604 which you can call if you have concerns about noise on the nights the festival is on.

“We have been impressed by the robustness of the arrangements the organisers have made to ensure a safe festival for everyone, and their concern to safeguard local communities which is also very much our stance. They have also taken on board all of our suggestions.”

The festival is aimed at 16-year-olds to 35-year-olds. Anyone under the age of 18 will be given a different coloured wristband and will not be allowed to purchase alcohol on the site. The organisers are also planning searches at the entrance which includes the use of passive drug sniffer dogs.

Police officers will also be in attendance at the festival.

The Lockdown Festival website features a comprehensive guide to transport, entrance and camping arrangements which police advise anyone attending to read closely before setting out, which you can find here: http://www.lockdownfestival.com/