Police Ban Legal Highs at Bestival

11 September 201070 viewsNo Comment

People attending this year’s Bestival will be denied entry to the event if they try to bring legal highs onto the site, said the organisers. Any person found to be carrying a prohibited substance will be ejected if they refuse to give up the material to security staff.

Hampshire Constabulary police officers will be positioned at Bestival entrance gates to search anyone suspected of carrying drugs. They will provide amnesty bins so anyone can voluntarily surrender any controlled substances before they enter the site. Any person who is arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs will not be permitted to enter the Bestival. What happens to people found with legal drugs is unclear.

Dr. Jenifer Smith, NHS Chief Medical Advisor, said, “We have had a large number of people in our Emergency Department who have taken legal highs such Vanilla Sky, NRG-1 and Ivory Wave. Our medical staff is not familiar with these substances, which can have unpredictable results and may result in long term mental and physical problems.”

Police officers will patrol on cycle and foot to prevent crime and reassure the public. The police will distribute crime prevention lanyards to protect personal possessions, such as wallets and mobile phones.

Alcohol, which is known to cause long-term physical and health problems, will be sold at the event. However, the amount of alcohol that can be brought in by festival goers is limited.

Inspector Terry Clawson, Hampshire Constabulary, said, “We want everyone to enjoy Bestival, and we will control drug use, excessive alcohol consumption and crime. Our officers have years of experience, and we will respond quickly to any problems.”

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