Camping at Sonisphere

SONISPHERE 2011 revellers causing distress in the surrounding areas, outside of the Knebworth festival, will be told to leave the locality and not return within 24 hours.

Sonisphere dispersal area

A six-day dispersal order has been granted by Hertfordshire Constabulary, British Transport Police, Stevenage Borough Council and North Herts District Council for Stevenage and Hitchin for next week’s Sonisphere music festival.

The order, which is in place under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, gives powers to police officers and police community support officers to disperse groups of two or more persons that are causing or are likely to cause harassment alarm or distress to members of the public.

Failure to comply with the police can result in an arrest.

Superintendent Simon Hawkins leads the team who have been working with the organisers in preparation for the weekend, which runs from Friday, July 8 to Saturday, July 10 at Knebworth House. The first arrivals can set up camp from next Thursday.

He said: “Working with both councils we have been able to introduce the dispersal order this year to give police additional powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and associated crime.

“I would like to reassure people coming to the festival and the wider local community that crime and anti-social behaviour at the festival has been relatively low in recent years.

“However, we are continuously looking at ways to ensure these figures remain low so that festival-goers can enjoy their weekend safely and there is minimal disruption to the local communities.

“The powers of a dispersal order fit with our policing style of friendly but firm and will only be used where necessary to deal with those intent on disrupting the event with criminal activity.

“They can be used in a preventative measure to reduce the opportunity for people, such as ticket touts, counterfeit goods sellers, to commit crime.

“They have proved effective at other festivals across the country and I am confident there will be a positive impact in Hertfordshire this year.”