Police and council officers will step up patrols at Chelmsford's two major music festivals in the next few weeks in a crackdown on legal highs and laughing gas.
Essex Police, Essex County Council, Trading Standards and Chelmsford City Council issued a joint warning today (August 5), just weeks before V Festival in Hylands Park and Brownstock Festival in Stow Maries.
Jonathan Graham, of Chelwater, Great Baddow, died aged 33 after it is thought he took legal high 5-EAPB at Brownstock Festival last year.
Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Williams said today: "We would like to remind festivalgoers that legal highs will not be tolerated at V Festival.
"If anyone is found selling these products, they will be prosecuted."
While legal highs and nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, have not yet been incorporated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, their effects are believed to be dangerous and those carrying them at the festivals will be ejected by police.
Essex County Council's cabinet member for trading standards Cllr Roger Walters said: "So called legal highs are extremely dangerous because there is nothing to regulate what they are made from.
"Some contain illegal drugs or can lead to serious medical emergencies and even death.
"I want festivalgoers to have fun but not to take a risk with either so called legal highs or nitrous oxide which can also result in serious side effects, especially when combined with alcohol."
Donna Martin, substance misuse trainer for the Drug and Alcohol Partnership, said: "I strongly urge festival-goers this summer to take the advice that legal highs could at best ruin your festival experience and at worst be fatal to you or your friends."
Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said the police, the Essex Drug and Alcohol Team (ADAAT) and trading standards were all working closely together to educate youngsters about "so called" Novel Psychoactive Substances.
He said: "I hope everyone attending festivals such as V follows the Essex Police advice to ensure they have both a safe and an enjoyable experience."
