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Summer Solstice 2009
The 20-21 June will see the Summer Solstice 2009 take place at both Stonehenge and Avebury. This years policing objective as always is to ensure the public feel safe to attend, satisfied with the means and manner in which it is policed and as a consequence confident in Wiltshire Police.
The vast majority of people attending the Solstice celebration are law abiding, and simply want to enjoy the occasion safely. They are welcome and we will do all we can to assist them. They can be confident that their safety is our priority and that we will treat everyone with respect
The Solstice and Avebury celebrations will be policed the same as any other public event where we always respect the beliefs of all law abiding people and want those attending to have a safe and enjoyable time but within the law
It is unacceptable to have to suffer violence, criminality, disorder, drunkenness and general anti social behaviour in the area's where we live. It is no more acceptable when at any public event and the same laws apply
The manner in which we police the event will be in keeping with that intention but at all times it will be proportionate to the circumstances. A good solstice for the police will be a safe one where people have enjoyed themselves and there have been no arrests
This year the event is over a weekend and more people than normal are likely to attend. For this reason, whilst there are no grounds to believe that this event will be anything other than peaceful and enjoyable, the public have a right to expect that our planning takes account of the likely increased numbers and also that we will use public resources efficiently making best use of the latest technology
Any attempt to set up an illegal rave or free festival in the lead up to, during, or following the Solstice will instigate a positive and proportional police response to prevent it
Drunkenness, disorderly / violent behaviour and the supply / use of illegal drugs greatly increases the danger to all, especially to families and children, many of whom do attend this event.
English Heritage have imposed a condition of entry that only moderate personal consumption of alcohol is permitted and that drunken people will not be allowed entry. The Police have a legal duty to assist them in applying this condition for the safety of everyone. We would therefore advise those wishing to attend the Solstice to bear this in mind and not bring any more than moderate amounts of alcohol with them
Amnesty bins and drugs dogs will be on site and we will deal firmly but proportionately with any such behaviour. We make no apology for stating that ‘Any individual intent on such activity should stay away’.
Normal policing services throughout Wiltshire will be maintained and officers rest days have been re-rostered in order to ensure this.
This year, additional policing effort is intended to achieve our aim of safe, satisfied and confident and to ensure that we do all we can to positively police this celebration and make it an enjoyable event for all of those that attend.
ACC Andy Marsh
http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=673
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