Police Are Conducting A “High Visibility Operation” At Splendour In The Grass
They ain't mucking around.
NSW Police have warned punters there will be a sizeable police operation targeting illegal drug use at this weekend’s Splendour in the Grass.
A “high-visibility operation” will be place for all three days of the festival, with officers from Tweed/Byron Police District in attendance. There will also be “specialist command support” in place, which NSW Police have confirmed will include sniffer dogs.
They’ll be targeting drug use and supply, as well as alcohol-fuelled violence and general anti-social behaviour. Additionally, Traffic and Highway Patrol will be out in force to catch drink-drivers and people speeding.
“Festival-goers who choose to do the wrong thing, risk the safety of other music fans, or bring illegal drugs into the festival can expect to be caught and dealt with accordingly,” Detective Superintendent Wayne Starling said.
“As with previous years, we are prepared for a considerable increase in traffic throughout the Byron Shire. Officers will be conducting regular roadside drug and alcohol testing and anyone caught driving under the influence will be arrested,” Starling said. “We are also reminding motorists to plan ahead, stick to the speed limit and ensure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seat belt.”
In regards to the sniffer dogs, NSW Police have now confirmed they won’t be enforcing the tough new policy they began enacting last month, which saw them deny entry to any gig-goer who drugs dogs “indicated” was carrying drugs — regardless of whether drugs were actually found on them.
“You actually have to have drugs on you for us to take any action,” Chief Inspector Gary Cowan told a press conference yesterday morning.
The policy sparked outrage when it was announced in the lead up to an Above & Beyond gig last month. It resulted in five punters being refused entry, with some handed six-month bans from the Sydney Olympic Park venue. In one case a 23-year-old woman was denied entry because the drug dog picked up that she was carrying Vicks nasal decongestant.
The Greens anti-sniffer dog initiative Sniff Off have since indicated they will pursue legal action against the NSW Police, with a number of the evicted punters joining with them to potentially launch a class action.