CHESHIRE Police have hailed policing of this years’ Nantwich Jazz Festival a resounding success.

There were 7 arrests made during the course of the weekend that related to the JazzFest event, a reduction in numbers on previous years.

Planning for the festival begins months in advance and involves input and collaboration with event organisers, local licencees, and specialist policing units.

Chief Insp Sarah Edgar, who had overall responsibility for the policing of the four-day event, said : “Our officers and PCSO’s offered a highly visible policing presence around the town centre of Nantwich over the course of the weekend.

"In doing so, we have provided a deterrent to would-be troublemakers, and are on hand to deal swiftly with any emerging pockets of disorder that may arise.

"With the support of local licencees, and town centre CCTV, our ability to intercept situations before they escalate into criminal acts or violence cannot be underestimated, and has clearly proved to be an effective tool in our policing armoury.

"Happily, the overall majority of visitors to Nantwich over the Easter weekend were in good spirits, enjoyed all the event has to offer, and many welcomed and commented upon the effective policing presence in the town.”

Inspector Dave Smithers, local Inspector for the Nantwich area, echoed this policing approach.

He said: “Historically, the Nantwich JazzFest has passed without serious incident, and with a great deal of support from the local community.

"The purpose of the police at events such as this is to ensure that festivalgoers enjoy the event in a safe environment, and that the local community of Nantwich can continue to go about their daily lives unhindered with the arrival of thousands of visitors to our town, often from far afield.

"The impact of this significant increase in visitors is managed by providing a visible and proportionate local policing presence, particularly to deal with the increase in alcohol-related incidents and traffic issues brought about by the festival and the warmer weather we experienced this weekend.”

Of the arrests made, during the course of the weekend, an 18 year old man from Whitchurch was arrested for common assault following a disturbance on Beam Street on Saturday evening.

A 40 year old man from Stoke On Trent was arrested a short time later on Pillory Street for being drunk and disorderly.

On Sunday evening, a 41 year old local man was arrested for failing to comply with warnings issued under the s.27 ‘direction to leave the area’ notice.

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