Police hail Wild Life Festival a resounding success

POLICE have wrapped up their operation supporting the Wild Life Festival in Shoreham – arresting just 15 people of the 70,000 visitors.
Revellers cram in to see Disclosure perform on the main stage  PHOTO: Eddie MitchellRevellers cram in to see Disclosure perform on the main stage  PHOTO: Eddie Mitchell
Revellers cram in to see Disclosure perform on the main stage PHOTO: Eddie Mitchell

Officers worked closely with event organisers SJM Concerts, Adur and Worthing Council and the other emergency services throughout the planning of the event.

On each day, about 35,000 revellers flocked to the site. However, in spite of the large volume of music lovers attending the event, police were delighted to report there were very few instances of anti-social behaviour for such a large festival.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chief Superintendent Steve Whitton, who led the police operation, said: “That many people is equivalent to moving a town the size of Haywards Heath onto the coast for a couple of days.

There was a party atmosphere to the last day of the festival  PHOTO: Eddie MitchellThere was a party atmosphere to the last day of the festival  PHOTO: Eddie Mitchell
There was a party atmosphere to the last day of the festival PHOTO: Eddie Mitchell

“There were five arrests on the first day, and ten on the second, mostly drink or drug-related. But taken in the context of 15 against nearly 70,000 present over two days, that is a very good result.”

On Saturday (June 6) there were two arrests on suspicion of possessing class A drugs – ecstasy and cocaine – with intent to supply; one on suspicion of possessing Class B cannabis with intent; one on suspicion of possessing cannabis and one drunk and disorderly

Yesterday (June 7) there were ten arrests – five for possessing ecstasy or cocaine with intent to supply; two for possessing cocaine, one for possessing cannabis, one for money-laundering and one for assault.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A number of people were also cautioned and ejected on suspicion of minor offences, barred from returning and forfeiting the cost of their tickets.

Disclosure's part went on late into the evening  PHOTO: Eddie MitchellDisclosure's part went on late into the evening  PHOTO: Eddie Mitchell
Disclosure's part went on late into the evening PHOTO: Eddie Mitchell

Ch Supt Whitton said some localised problems had been encountered, such as delays for some fans getting to and from the event, but thanks to close co-operation with event organisers SJM Concerts, Adur & Worthing Council and other partners, these had largely been resolved in situ.

He added: “There were undoubtedly lessons to be learned and we shall be reviewing our approach and methods in the light of these experiences. In addition, we still need to properly assess the impact on the local community.

“However, I was pleased to note that most of those attending displayed a good-natured attitude, and their patience and compliance certainly helped our hard-working officers and staff in policing the event successfully.”