WITH under a week to go before V Festival’s 21st birthday at Hylands Park, officers are preparing for a safe event.

Essex Police has been working closely with the organisers, security team and local authority to ensure that festival-goers enjoy a crime-free weekend in Chelmsford.

Police Gold Commander for the event, Assistant Chief Constable Carl ‘O Malley, said: "We look forward to policing the event every year and this year is likely to be an especially busy one as we celebrate the festival’s 21st birthday with a popular line-up.

"Specialist officers including many in plain clothes will be deployed to Hylands Park under Project Servitor which aims to deter, detect and disrupt crime.

"Many officers will be accompanied by dogs trained to sniff out suspicious behaviour and will greet festival-goers at the gates. Please be patient whilst we get you through security. We are there to keep you safe.

"The security team and retailers have been fully briefed on our policing operation and will be able to assist if you spot anything suspicious.

"Drugs including so-called legal highs won’t be tolerated and officers will seek to prosecute anyone who is found to be selling and in possession. Don’t run the risk.

"Airspace restrictions are in place over Hylands Park for the festival meaning that drones are not permitted to be flown without the permission of Essex Police.

"We have a dedicated page on our website offering crime-prevention advice and helpful information including road closures, so please take a few minutes to read it before you head to the festival. Keep an eye out for the tips and updates we’ll be pushing out via social media over the course of the weekend.

"Officers will also be giving out a limited amount of phone ‘bungees’ which can be used to attach mobiles phones to clothing to prevent them being lost or stolen.”