Police message to festival-goers ahead of Reminisce

Officers have given advice to people attending the festival at Sherdley Park this weekend to make sure they have fun and enjoy the event safely.

The annual event returns on Saturday, September 10, and Merseyside Police says it has been working closely with the organisers and St Helens Council to make sure it runs smoothly.

Organisers say they are planning to host their "biggest festival yet", with more than 160 acts and DJs travelling from across the world to play live in Sherdley Park.

Revellers enjoying a previous Reminisce festival (Image: Reminsice)

St Helens Council's licensing department gave the festival permission to go ahead again in 2022 despite last year's event being marred by controversy, with issues over long queues, internet access, and security concerns.

Starting as a small nostalgic music festival in 2014, Reminisce has grown to facilitate crowds of 19,000.

At a St Helens Council Sub-Committee meeting in July, it was said steps were being taken to improve what went wrong and ensure the calamity does not happen again.

More than 160 acts and DJs are to perform at Sherdley Park (Image: Stock)

Ahead of this weekend’s event, Chief Superintendent Mark Wiggins said: “I want to reassure the community living near Sherdley Park, as well as festivalgoers, that our officers will be on duty in and around the park throughout the event, supporting the security teams which are organised by Reminisce and supported by St Helens Council.

"This is a very popular event and I hope that those who attend enjoy the live music with friends and family safely and responsibly and with respect for the people living in the local area.”

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Chief Supt Wiggins added: “Merseyside Police will have a robust presence on site and our officers will deal firmly and seriously with any crime, drug possession or supply, or anti-social behaviour they see.

"Drugs will not be tolerated at the event and there will be a strict search policy in place, operated by organisers. Anyone found to be in possession of drugs will not be allowed on site and will risk prosecution. 

“The organisers and Merseyside Police are advising anyone attending the event to drink sensibly and we would also urge people not to bring unnecessary bags to the event, don’t leave your drinks and  property including bags and mobile phones unattended, keep valuables close at all times and keep wallets and purses out of sight.