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Wickerman Festival

Every summer the farmlands on East Kirkcarsewell Farm, near Dundrennan play host to the Wickerman Festival.

From its beginnings in July 2002, the Wickerman Festival has grown at every event, attracting bigger names and crowds year on year. With its incredible rural surroundings the festival has now become one of the biggest musical events in Scotland and attracts approximately 15 thousand people, more than the amount of residents in the nearby town of Stranraer.

Police have been involved from the inception, helping with the personal safety of everyone who attends. As the festival has grown so has police participation. Almost a hundred officers now police the event over the four days of the festival.

All these officers play their part to ensure your safety or personal security when attending the event. Whether it is undercover or drugs policing, traffic officers patrolling the nearby roads or the operational police and special constables on hand to assist in any stolen property or missing people, police staff are available in numbers to protect you and your property.

The festival’s success is enhanced by our relaxed and friendly style of policing. Generally speaking the majority who attend behave themselves and we have low numbers of arrests. As it is a family event, we want this to continue and officers are on hand to simply ensure you and your family’s safety during the weekend. We want you to enjoy the festival and your safety is our main concern.

Prevent crime and ensure your safety

While we put in a meticulous policing plan, there may be some dangers or opportunist thieves in the area.

Officers will be happy to pass on any crime prevention advice to anyone attending the Wickerman Festival. There are many small things you can also do yourself to prevent crime and ensure your safety:

• Don’t take any expensive or electrical goods with you
• When setting off, plan your route and leave in plenty of time. Please be aware that public transport in the area is limited. Visit Traffic Scotland for up to date information on public roads.
• Motorists are reminded that drinking and driving is a criminal offence that not only endangers your own life but also your passengers and other road users.
• When parking your vehicle, make sure it is secure and do not leave any valuables in it or in sight. Young children should not be left in vehicles alone. Remember where you park it and make sure you do not loose your car keys. Excitement can be a distraction.
• Keep any personal belongings on you or hidden away. Leave credit cards at home and look after your mobile phone.
• If possible secure your tent and never leave any valuable goods in it
• Decide a meeting point and a time in case you lose any of your family, friends or party members
• Bring comfortable, appropriate clothing in case the weather changes – as it is the Scottish summer prepare for all eventualities including midges, sunburn and rain. If camping overnight please make sure you have warm clothing as it can get very cold.
• Make sure you have plenty of food and water and if bringing any alcohol, be sensible in the amount you consume
• For details on accommodation or tents visit the official wickerman website.