Global gathering: police plan for two day event this year

Around 40,000 people are expected to attend the Global Gathering dance festival at Long Marston airfield in South Warwickshire on Friday July 29 and Saturday July 30.

This is the first time the Global Gathering has spanned two days and event planners from Warwickshire Police are working closely with the organisers to ensure the safety and security of visitors and to minimise disruption to local people through road congestion.

Police expect some 15,000 festival goers to arrive on Friday after the site opens at 10 am with a further 25,000 gathering for Saturday's entertainment.

Police again spelled out a clear warning to visitors about the use of illegal drugs. Officers will be giving visitors every opportunity to dispose of drugs as they arrive, but will take a zero tolerance approach if drugs are found inside the event. Each person arriving at the airfield will be handed information leaflets about drug searches and crime / security advice.

Clearly identifiable amnesty bins will be available for the safe disposal of illegal drugs. Police dogs will be on duty at the entrance gates and visitors risk being refused entry and arrested if the dogs detect drugs.

Superintendent Paul Mason Brown, manager of operational policing in South Warwickshire, said officers would be policing the two day event in the same way as previous years.

He issued a warning to those ignoring the amnesty bins: "Anyone found in possession of drugs on the site will be ejected. "

"Officers will arrest and charge anyone who is suspected of being in possession of illegal drugs with intent to supply them to others," stressed Supt Mason Brown.

At last year's Global Gathering six people were arrested, a number of which were for supplying drugs including Class A drugs, one person for a robbery which occurred outside the gates during which tickets for the event were stolen and 67 people were cautioned for possession of drugs.

Eight people were treated at Warwick hospital including two for suspected drug overdoes and two for leg fractures following falls and others for heat related medical conditions.

A total of around 7,000 cars and 100 coaches are expected to arrive at the event this year and the event organisers, in partnership with Warwickshire Police, have a comprehensive traffic management plan to minimise road congestion. In total there are nine identified routes to the site, if congestion begins to occur on a particular route then the signage will be switched to divert traffic onto other free-flowing routes.

The routes will be patrolled by police motorcyclists working in company with the event traffic management company. It is important that visitors to the festival remain patient and follow the route signs at all times.

The usual market held on a Sunday at Long Marston Airfield will not be occurring on Sunday July 31 due to Global Gathering.