Extra police brought in for festival

By a County Press reporter

Saturday, June 23, 2012

 

EXTRA police will be on hand to help Isle of Wight Festival-goers as they travel home.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it was working with organisers to ensure festival-goers left the site safely at the end of event.

Heavy rain is expected this evening, overnight and tomorrow (Sunday) morning, leading to muddy conditions. 

The police warned that they expected, even with additional resources including an extra 20 roads policing officers, the departure process would be slow-going.

Chief Constable Alex Marshall, who visited the site and spoke to festival-goers on Friday night into Saturday morning, said: "It was a wet and muddy start for many campers this year, but thankfully the weather did not seem to dampen the festival spirit on site.



"I’d ask that those heading home by car drive sensibly and carefully. Due to the volume of traffic on the site drivers should expect some delays and we would ask you to be patient and remain with your vehicles, as the organisers work to get you home. 



"The unprecedented impact the rain had on the site brought with it a unique challenge in the festival’s 11-year history and our officers, PCSOs and staff worked hard alongside Solo and our partner agencies to tackle the situation as quickly as possible."

Police urged drivers to take care in muddy conditions. 

They advised drivers to test their brakes by slowly and gently pressing down on the brake pedal and warned that vehicles with muddy wheels would take longer stop.

A spokesman said 
there were Hampshire Constabulary, Wightlink and Red Funnel had plans in place to ensure people with bookings were still able travel even if they missed their crossing time.



Mr Marshall said: "I’d like to thank festival-goers for their patience while the festival’s Emergency Liaison Team has dealt with and will continue to deal with what has been a very challenging situation."

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by kevin froment

24th June 2012, at 07:44:27

extra police, that means extra breth tests, be afraid festi folk, be very afraid

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