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essence, Essex Police target drug dealers. Those who indulge in
possession will be dealt with and prosecuted accordingly, but
we feel that our resources should be focused on the source of
the crime. We prefer the V2 festival to be a crime-free event,
but are realistic and know this will never be the case. However,
our other priority is that everyone enjoys the weekend in a safe
environment which includes tackling other forms of crime and their
associated criminals.
We
have found that the festivals have been run relatively successfully
in previous years and cannot foresee any difference to this
year's weekend. As a result, we shall continue policing and
resourcing the event as normal.
Sgt
White was expressing reservations about the strategy and methods
used by Staffordshire Police without criticising them for using
innovative methods in order to rid their venue of drug users.
As
with many issues these day, human rights legislation does figure
in one way or another. Sgt White was purely concerned as to
whether Staff Police had made the necessary checks. There may
well be no HR issues to deal with. We applaud them for taking
a similarly tough stance on such criminals.
However,
I will repeat out stance that we here at Essex have taken and
will continue to do so until we feel our methods are failing.We
want our two-day festival to be enjoyed by everyone in a safe
environment. The policing methods we use have been successful
in deterring criminal elements and drug users from plying their
'trade' at Chelmsford's Hylands Park. We, personally, can see
no reason to change our stance and
ways in which we deal with such people who are intent on ruining
it for others. The organisers, revellers and other interested
parties have had no qualms with the way we police it, we ourselves
can see no operational need to change, what is essentially,
an effective way in dealing with drug dealers and users.
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