One of the first major tasks facing Reading's new police chief will be night time commander at the Reading Festival next month.
Superintendent Stuart Greenfield said: “Last year saw an escalation in violence on the Sunday night where too many people had too much to drink, they were lighting fires which presented a very actuall safety risk to other campers on that site.
“Most people go to the site and are there purely to watch the music for a good time 95%, it’s the small minority.
“However the issues that presented themselves last year on the Sunday night were quite significant and presented a real risk to public safety, to the other festival goers, staff on the site, to my officers and to the fire service.
“We can’t ignore that and have worked very hard in the planning stages for this year’s festival with the organisers themselves, Festival Republic and partners in the community safety team and licensing at the council.
“Festival Republic has trebled its number of stewards and has footed the bill for an increased number of police officers onsite.”
Supt Greenfield added: “This year, for me, is about having a more proactive response.
“I want my officers to be engaged with the festival goers selling crime prevention messages.
“It’s a test year almost, a lot more policing, a lot more stewards, we will look what effect that has and that will dictate our resourcing next year.”
Policing around the rest of the town will continue as normal, he said.
Superintendent Stuart Greenfield said: “Last year saw an escalation in violence on the Sunday night where too many people had too much to drink, they were lighting fires which presented a very actuall safety risk to other campers on that site.
“Most people go to the site and are there purely to watch the music for a good time 95%, it’s the small minority.
“However the issues that presented themselves last year on the Sunday night were quite significant and presented a real risk to public safety, to the other festival goers, staff on the site, to my officers and to the fire service.
“We can’t ignore that and have worked very hard in the planning stages for this year’s festival with the organisers themselves, Festival Republic and partners in the community safety team and licensing at the council.
“Festival Republic has trebled its number of stewards and has footed the bill for an increased number of police officers onsite.”
Supt Greenfield added: “This year, for me, is about having a more proactive response.
“I want my officers to be engaged with the festival goers selling crime prevention messages.
“It’s a test year almost, a lot more policing, a lot more stewards, we will look what effect that has and that will dictate our resourcing next year.”
Policing around the rest of the town will continue as normal, he said.
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