Cheshire Police Uncover Drugs Buried at the Creamfields Site Before the Festival and Seize 249 Nitrous Oxide Canisters

Cheshire Police have searched the Creamfields site at Daresbury ahead of the festival and found items buried in the ground. The first haul included canisters of nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, along with bags of ecstasy, MDMA, and ketamine, according to the BBC on August 22. The latest count stands at 249 canisters of nitrous oxide seized, after an initial search recovered around 204 and a second search found another 45 along with more bags of drugs, according to IBTimes UK.

Superintendent Andy Blizard of Cheshire Police said that every year they come across people who think they can outsmart officers by hiding or burying items on site months in advance, and confirmed the force's zero tolerance approach. He added that he expects more to be found as the search continues, and that anyone who buried something will be disappointed when they come back to dig it up. He also said that anyone who has buried a backpack or bag and wants it returned should contact the police. Specialist search teams will continue working the site right up to opening day.

Creamfields runs August 27-30 and is expected to draw more than 80,000 people.

- Security at the Gates and Inside the Festival -

Based on statements from Cheshire Police and information on the festival's official website, everyone will be searched before entering, sniffer dogs will be on duty, and amnesty bins for disposing of prohibited items without penalty will be placed at the entrances. During the festival, police will support the event team and the festival's security staff, with a visible presence intended as a deterrent.

On the welfare side, the Medical Centre and Welfare Tent sit at the entrance to the Downtown Village area, near the Steel Yard structure, open 24 hours across the weekend. The Welfare team offers non-judgmental support, covering people made vulnerable through substance use, those dealing with mental health issues, anyone who has experienced assault or sexual harassment, and those who find the festival environment overwhelming. Help Tents in the campsites are open from 10:00 to 24:00, with more located across the arenas.

The festival also has a zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment and assault, and works with Counter Terrorism Policing on the BeSafeBeSound campaign. For anyone heading to Creamfields this week, the official website already carries a dedicated advice page from Cheshire Police, along with the full list of what is and is not allowed on site.