Police call for responsible behaviour as SummerSalt returns

ABOUT 3,000 people are expected to flock to the Torquay Common on Saturday, September 20, when the SummerSalt music festival returns to the Surf Coast.

Event organisers will be providing security for the event, but local police will also be out in force, asking event-goers to enjoy the event and behave responsibly.

Torquay Senior Sergeant Adrian Bickley said police will be present at the festival itself and in the surrounding areas.

“Remember that police will be out in force on our roads and patrons should consider how they’re leaving the venue if they’ve been drinking alcohol.

“We advise them strongly not to drink and drive and risk losing their licence.”

Police will also use a mobile CCTV camera, set up on Bell Street, to help provide coverage as patrons leave the venue once the festival concludes at 10pm.

“It will give us a live feed in regard to what’s going on there,” Sgt Bickley said.

“We use this as an effective tool in regard to giving us minute by minute coverage to what’s occurring on our streets in Torquay.”

Police will follow a similar format and approach to last year’s festival, working closely with event organisers to ensure the day runs smoothly.

“There’s a lot of planning in regard to these events,” Sgt Bickley said.

“They run very, very well, the event organisers do a good job in regards to their event planning.

“They plan for a number of contingencies, which include weather and these events we find, run quite well.”

The Wombats will headline this year’s SummerSalt and will be supported by a lineup of artists including Ball Park Music, Del Water Gap and The DMA’s.