A police operation gets underway today to ensure Tamworth’s annual country music festival is a safe, fun and family-friendly event.

Operation Ashgrove will be in place for the duration of the Country Music Festival, Tamworth, which starts today (Friday 15 January 2016) and runs until Sunday 24 January 2016.

Now in its 44^th year, this is the largest music festival in the Southern Hemisphere, with a program featuring 700 performers, 2800 shows and 120 venues.

Dozens of additional police have been deployed to work in the northern-NSW city during the festival.

“It is a hugely popular event, and we are expecting big crowds again this year,” Operation Ashgrove Commander, Superintendent Fred Trench, said.

“The atmosphere in Tamworth throughout festival is high-spirited, and while the vast majority of people are well-behaved, police will act swiftly if you choose to do the wrong thing,” he said.

In particular, police will be targeting alcohol-related criminal and anti-social behaviour.

“We encourage people to have a great time while they’re in Tamworth; we just ask that you look out for each other and know your limits in terms of alcohol consumption.

“Police will not tolerate alcohol-fuelled violence, and will be enforcing alcohol-free zones in the CBD.

“We’ll also have additional Traffic and Highway Patrol officers rostered on to conduct random alcohol and drug testing, so if you make a plan to drink, plan not to drive,” Supt Trench said.

Local Liquor Accord agreements will also remain in place for the duration of the festival – including a 12.30am lockout for all licensed venues; a ban on spirits shots; and no energy-drink mixers or high-alcohol pre-mixed drinks can be purchased after 10pm.

More than 50,000 people are expected to descend upon Tamworth for the festival, with many of them camping at sites around the city.

“Community safety is our number-one priority, and we urge festival-goers to take care of themselves and their belongings while visiting Tamworth for the festival,” Supt Trench said.

Police offer the following safety and security tips for campers:

• Plan your trip in advance and if possible, make a booking;
• Get to know your surrounding campers;
• In large crowds, be mindful of your own safety and security as well as that of people around you;
• Leave valuables at home – if you must take valuables with you, ensure they are secured and kept out of sight;
• Lock your caravan or campervan when unattended;
• Where possible, use a lock to secure your tent;
• Where possible, use a portable alarm in your tent or camper;
• Plan for changes in weather conditions;
• Ensure valuables are not left in unattended vehicles;
• Report any suspicious behaviour to police.

For comprehensive event details, visit the official festival website: www.tcmf.com.au

Special-event traffic information can be found at: www.livetraffic.com.

With more than 50,000 people expected to descend upon Tamworth for the upcoming country music festival, police are encouraging country-music fans to plan ahead for a safe arrival.

The annual Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth will take over the northern-NSW city for 10 days from this Friday (15 January 2016) until Sunday 24 January 2016.

Now in its 44^th year, this is the largest music festival in the Southern Hemisphere, with a program featuring 700 performers, 2800 shows and 120 venues.

Police are in the final planning stages of Operation Ashgrove, which will be in place for the duration of the festival to ensure the event is safe, fun and family-friendly.

However, police are keen to get out an early safety message to the throngs of country-music fans who are intending to make the pilgrimage to Tamworth.

“Mid-January is a busy time on NSW roads; there will be many people travelling not only to Tamworth, but also to and from school-holiday destinations,” Operation Ashgrove Commander, Superintendent Fred Trench, said.

“If you will be driving to the festival, we urge you to be mindful of all the additional traffic on the roads, and take extra precautions to ensure you arrive safely in Tamworth.

“Allow plenty of time for your trip; take multiple rest breaks; drive to conditions; and follow the rules of the road.

“There will be large numbers of police patrolling roads in and around Tamworth, targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile-phone use, and other dangerous driver behaviour.

“We want you to spend your time in Tamworth enjoying music at a festival venue; not in a hospital bed or court room,” Supt Trench said.

Festival-goers are also encouraged to be patient when they arrive in Tamworth, as a number of road closures will be in place for the duration of the event, and there could be delays.

Only vehicles displaying the appropriate council authorisation will be allowed entry into restricted areas of the CBD.

Tamworth’s population doubles during the 10 days of the festival, and police will be out in force to ensure a safe celebration for both visitors and locals.

“Community safety is our number-one priority for Operation Ashgrove, and we’ll be working hard and in large numbers to maintain the festival’s excellent reputation as a fun, family-friendly event,” Supt Trench said.

“In particular, police will be on the look-out for criminal and anti-social behaviour associated with drinking too much alcohol. This includes intoxication, brawling and under-age drinking.

“Police and council rangers will also strictly enforce alcohol-free zones, which will be in place throughout the CBD.

“Local Liquor Accord agreements will also remain in place for the duration of the festival – including a 12.30am lockout for all licensed venues; a ban on spirits shots; and no energy-drink mixers or high-alcohol pre-mixed drinks can be purchased after 10pm,” Supt Trench said.

Camping is the preferred accommodation option for thousands of festival-goers; dozens of camping sites will be operational in and around Tamworth.

Police offer the following safety and security tips for campers:
– Plan your trip in advance and if possible, make a booking;
– Get to know your surrounding campers;
– In large crowds, be mindful of your own safety and security as well as that of people around you;
– Leave valuables at home – if you must take valuables with you, ensure they are secured and kept out of sight;
– Lock your caravan or campervan when unattended;
– Where possible, use a lock to secure your tent;
– Where possible, use a portable alarm in your tent or camper;
– Plan for changes in weather conditions;
– Ensure valuables are not left in unattended vehicles;
– Report any suspicious behaviour to police.

For comprehensive event details, visit the official festival website: www.tcmf.com.au

Special-event traffic information can be found at: www.livetraffic.com.