Police issue safety and security tips for music fans heading to Y Not Festival this weekend

Thousands of music fans will be descending on Derbyshire this weekend for the annual Y Not Festival.
Police will be in attendance at Y Not Festival all weekendPolice will be in attendance at Y Not Festival all weekend
Police will be in attendance at Y Not Festival all weekend

And Derbyshire police has now issued some security and safety tips for those heading to this year's event, which takes place at Pikehall.

Tips include:

* Keep valuable items with you in a secure bag or inside pocket at all times. Campers are encouraged to put valuables in their sleeping bag with them when they go to bed.

* Stick with your friends - if you're with people you know and trust, the chances are you'll look out for each other. Festivals give you the opportunity to meet new friends but going off with people you've just met may lead you into situations you don't want to be in.

* Moderate your alcohol consumption as if you overdo it, you'll be less aware and less likely to spot dangers.

* Keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended.

* Plan your transport home - keep enough money for your journey home, book a taxi or lift before you go out. If your pre-ordered taxi turns up, check it is a car from the company you booked with.

* If you're the designated driver for your journey home, remember that you could still be over the limit if you have too much to drink the night before you leave. So if you plan to hit the roads the next day, take it easy on the alcohol - and don't take drugs. No festival is worth losing your licence or your life over, and if you're over the limit the next day, the risk of a collision is huge.

Police have been working with the festival organisers for the last few months to ensure the event is safe and enjoyable for the up to 30,000 people expected to attend.

Officers will be at the festival at all times, working alongside an increased number of Y Not security staff.

As part of the joint effort to keep the festival safe, security staff and specialist sniffer dogs will be searching people on their way in, and anyone found carrying drugs risks being barred from the event and arrested by police.

Police will also have a base at the Village Green for people to come and speak to them if they have any issues – or just want to say hello. Crime can be reported to the dedicated team at the Village Green.