Festival-goers urged to plan journey home and avoid illegal drugs as police step up summer operations

Superintendent Alistair Hagan urging festival-goers to prioritise their safety when attending outdoor music events

Festival-goers heading to outdoor music events across Northern Ireland are being urged to plan their journey home, stay with friends and avoid illegal drugs as police intensify operations during the summer concert season.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland says high-visibility patrols and stop-and-search activity will form part of its policing operation at major festivals, while amnesty bins will be available at entrance points for the anonymous disposal of substances.

The warning comes as thousands of people continue to attend concerts and festivals across Northern Ireland, with police stressing that illicit drugs can contain unknown ingredients or be of an unpredictable strength — and that combining drugs with alcohol can increase the risks.

“No drugs are safe”

PSNI Superintendent Alistair Hagan said police want people to enjoy events while taking straightforward precautions to protect themselves and their friends.

“We want everyone to have an enjoyable and memorable time — and to remember it for all the right reasons.

“Working alongside event organisers and health partners, we want festival-goers to stay safe. Simple steps can make a real difference: plan how you will get home before you set off, stay with your friends, and look out for one another.

“I also want to be very clear about the serious, potentially life-changing, risks of taking or supplying illegal drugs.

“No drugs are safe. The truth is that any illicit drug can have an unknown concoction of ingredients and, put simply, you won’t know what you are actually taking in terms of either components or strength. The risks of taking any drugs, or drugs combined with alcohol, are therefore huge. And the sad reality is that the effect can be fatal.

“Anyone found using or supplying illegal drugs, may face arrest and prosecution. A moment of experimentation, or giving in to peer pressure, can therefore have irreversible consequences for your health, wellbeing and future.”

Increased policing during concert season

The PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch and Belfast Local Policing Teams, supported by Organised Crime Task Force partners, are carrying out proactive operations across Belfast.

While efforts to tackle illegal drugs continue throughout the year, police say there is an intensified focus during the summer concert season.

Superintendent Hagan continued:

“Our proactive policing operation at major festivals includes high-visibility patrols, with stop and search activity at venues and the surrounding areas.

“Amnesty bins will be available at entrance points, allowing people to dispose of substances safely and anonymously.”

Police are also asking people attending festivals to pay attention to the wellbeing of those around them and not to delay seeking assistance if somebody becomes unwell.

Superintendent Hagan added:

“While our primary role is to enforce drug legislation, we are also asking festival-goers to look out for each other and to seek help immediately if someone appears unwell.”

Reporting information and getting support

Independent charity Crimestoppers is running a summer campaign using posters and social media messages to highlight the dangers associated with drugs and encourage people to provide information anonymously.

Information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or online.

Anyone affected by drug or alcohol use can also find information about support services in Northern Ireland here.

For those heading to festivals and outdoor concerts, the police advice is straightforward: arrange the journey home before leaving, stay together where possible, look out for friends and seek help immediately if someone becomes unwell.