CUMBRIA Police is gearing up for this year's Kendal Calling, with officers and drugs dogs already on site. 

The festival is set to take place from Thursday (July 26) until Sunday (July 29) with a line up that includes Ocean Colour Scene, The Libertines and Run DMC.

Police, festival organisers, security teams and other key agencies have been working closely for months to provide a safe and enjoyable festival experience for revellers.

And police are already at Lowther Deer Park, with drugs dogs carrying out strategic sweeps of the grounds and surrounding areas. 

This type of preventative action saw a reduction in the number of drug offences committed at the festival last year. 

A total of 14 arrests were made for drug related offences thanks to the close partnership between the festival, police and the police’s dog section.

This year’s event will see an increased number of working dogs on site, including drugs and general purpose dog, to ensure the safety of festivalgoers, and to deter offending.

Chief Inspector, Andy Wilkinson said: “We want everyone to have a fun and an enjoyable festival. Months of planning between police, festival organisers, security teams and key agencies have taken place with the safety of attendees always the priority.

“This year, much like last, we have a fantastic team including Special Constables and our dog section. All our officers and police dogs work tirelessly throughout the week to reduce offending, including the reduction of illegal substances brought in to the site. They are also there to protect the public dealing with incidents such as missing people reports and to keep the peace."

Police will be providing amnesty bins and for the third year, independent drugs advice service The Loop will be on site to help protect festival goers and make informed choices through Multi Agency Safety Testing (MAST).

Substances of concern can be taken to The Loop advice point within the festival site for testing using a range of laboratory techniques. Results will be given to festival-goers as part of a free, confidential information package by trained and experienced drugs workers.

“The Constabulary are pleased to be launching #NoDrugsNeeded, an online campaign running throughout the festival and beyond," said CI Wilkinson.

"We want to change and challenge people’s perception of drugs use. We should be celebrating people’s ability to have a good time without drugs; enjoying the company of friends and family, the music and the atmosphere. Those who can have a fantastic festival on their own merit with #NoDrugsNeeded are the ultimate winners. The campaign will run on Scapchat with GeoFilters, on Facebook with frames and on Twitter and Instagram."

And organisers of the festival have teamed up with the new Festival Safe campaign to provide simple and practical advice to festival veterans and first-timers alike.

Festival Safe includes advice on:

•    What to expect and how to plan for a festival including kit lists, travel planning and avoiding ticket fraud
•    Choosing the right tent and location plus camping tips, including fire safety advice
•    Guides to the law and harm reduction regarding alcohol and other drugs
•    General health advice with specific sections on sexual and mental health
•    Taking precautions against theft, personal safety, sexual assault, drink driving, counter terrorism and other crime
•    Looking after children at festivals including safeguarding, supervision & suitable spaces

Kendal Calling Festival Director Andy Smith said: “Kendal Calling is a gathering of some of the loveliest people on the planet, coming together to enjoy a weekend of amazing music and fun in the fields.  

"Our number one priority is always the safety and welfare of everyone on site with us and we are delighted to team up with Festival Safe to ensure all festival goers have the most up to date information to enhance their festival experience. 

"This supports our wider work with Cumbria Police, St John’s Ambulance, the local authorities, our event management, production, security, stewarding and welfare partners to provide a safe and friendly environment for the entire Kendal Calling family.

"We ask all our festival-goers to do their bit by looking out for themselves and each other and to help us make it the best Kendal Calling yet."