Update on Creamfields 2022 policing operation

This year’s policing operation for the Creamfields music festival has come to an end with 39 arrests made for numerous offences.

In addition, 71 people were spoken to by police in relation to possession of illegal drugs and ejected from the site. They will be dealt with through criminal justice processes at a later stage.

A further 42 people were dealt with via local resolution – these people were not arrested but have been recorded as being involved in drugs.

Sadly, the festival also saw the death of a young woman from South Wales.

At around 10.15pm on Friday 26 August, police were notified that the 25-year-old woman had fallen ill at the festival.

She was taken to Warrington District General Hospital but despite the best efforts of those involved, she passed away in the early hours of Tuesday 30 August.

Her next of kin have been informed.

Superintendent Sarah Heath, who led the policing operation for Creamfields 2022, said: “The tragic death of a young woman is heart-breaking and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.

“An investigation into the cause of her death is underway but at this stage there is nothing to suggest that there are any suspicious circumstances.”

Creamfields is the biggest event in Cheshire and as with previous years, the force worked closely with organisers and a host of other agencies to make it as safe as possible and limit any adverse impact on the local community.

The event involved a significant policing operation both over the bank holiday weekend itself, and during the planning phase.

A total of 209 crimes were reported for a variety offences - the most common being drug-related with a total of 135.

Superintendent Heath added: “This year around 69,000 people attended Creamfields 2022 between Thursday and Monday. It’s a huge undertaking and we worked with event organisers and security staff in a bid to prevent illegal drugs from getting into the site.

“There were drugs dogs at entrances and opportunities for illegal substances and weapons to be placed in surrender bins along with an extensive search process by security personnel at entrances to the site.

“A conscious effort was made to target those who were intent on supplying illegal substances at the event – which accounted for more than half of the arrests made – while we made use of other options available to us, such as community resolutions, for lower level offences.

“All of those who were arrested and are being investigated for drug offences will now have to face the consequences and pay the price for their actions.”