V Festival: 230 treated by ambulance staff and drug arrests made on first day
About 230 people have been treated by medical staff on the first day of the V Festival, as police confirm they have also made drug arrests.
The festival site at Weston Park opened on Friday in damp and wet conditions with a Yellow wind warning in place for the whole of today.
Supt. Elliott Sharrard-Williams, who is leading the police operation at the festival for Staffordshire Police, said: "We have already made arrests in relation to the supply of illegal drugs. There is a very robust search operation in place, led by the festival security teams and supported by officers from Staffordshire Police.
"In one case a 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs, after he was discovered with what was believed to be ecstasy tablets.
"Those attending the V Festival should expect to be searched a number of times during the weekend, and anyone found with illegal drugs, faces arrest and loss of their festival tickets. We are working hard to ensure everyone enjoys V for the right reasons and I urge anyone considering bringing illegal substances to dispose them in the amnesty bins before the first search point."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "It's been a steady start for the staff and volunteers since the gates opened to campers on Friday.
"So far, 230 people have been treated at the on-site medical centre collectively by St. John Ambulance volunteers and West Midlands Ambulance Service staff after self-presenting to the facility. On-site ambulance crews around Weston Park tended to a further 40 patients with 11 patients requiring hospital treatment. These were mainly people with existing medical conditions, though a couple had sustained fractures after falls.
"The vast majority of cases were minor injuries as a result of people being intoxicated.
"With the weather forecast looking potentially quite stormy, we would ask people to be prepared. If you're heading to the festival it's really important that you don't forget some waterproofs and some wellies as it is likely to become muddy and slippery underfoot.
"As always, we would advise festival goers to keep themselves hydrated by drinking lots of non-alcoholic drinks, and finally we always ask people to make sure they enjoy themselves, have fun and enjoy the music!"
