Information on Leicestershire

Police at Download go high tech in their fight against crime

Posted on 09/06/08

The police and the Leicestershire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) are using cutting edge technology to get crime prevention and sensible drinking messages through to people at this year's Download music festival.

Workers from the Drug Intervention Programme will be walking around Donington Park using four portable Bluetooth boxes, each with the capability of sending quick-fire messages to mobile phones within a 25m radius. They will be working in a shift pattern from 10am until 2am on each day of the festival.

People with Bluetooth enabled mobiles will receive a note asking them if they want to receive a message.

If they accept, they will be sent the animated message, which will contain information on a range of topics, including crime prevention and advice on alcohol and drug use. As the messages are sent using Bluetooth technology and not SMS, they will cost nothing for phone uses to receive.

Nick Jones, an Alcohol Strategy Officer with Leicestershire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said; "All partners involved believe the use of Bluetooth technology is a really exciting opportunity to get key personal safety, as well as drug and alcohol harm reduction messages, to the revellers throughout the duration of the festival. The messages will be quirky; they will raise a laugh in the spirit of the festival, but will also contain some useful tips to ensure that festival goers have a perfect Download."

The police are working closely with the organisers of the Download Music Festival to reduce the impact of crime during this year's event at Donington Park. The event, which runs from Friday 13 June 2008 to Sunday 15 June 2008, is expected to attract up to 135,000 people across the three days and 40,000 of those will be staying at the on-site camp sites. Last year, crime on the site increased by 58% from 203 offences in 2006 to 322. 147 offences, or 46% of all crime committed during the festival, involved theft from tents

The technology is being used by the police for the first time in Leicestershire. Inspector Chris Brown, Commander of North West Leicestershire Local Policing Unit said; "We were looking for innovative new ways to get our messages through to young people and we know that new technology is the way forward. We hope that sending messages out in this way will capture people's imagination and make them think about the security of their belongings and therefore reduce crime."

There will also be team of Drug and Alcohol Advice workers on site to provide specialist advice on substance misuse and harm reduction to anyone who requires support during the event.

Inspector Brown continued; "We have also re-launched our text and email service this year aimed at gathering crime prevention information from people coming to Donington. It's designed to encourage festival-goers to give us information about crime related matters in advance of the event."

Anyone with information can text police' and then their message to 86688 or email downloadfestival.intel@leicestershire.pnn.co.uk.

Issued on 09/06/08 at 13:56

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