V Festival: Armed police to be at event

Staffordshire Police tweeted the news from their VFest Staffs Police social media account, stating officers will be there 'all weekend for reassurance and deterrence'.

This is the first time armed officers have been overtly patrolling at the Weston Park event. In previous years armed officers have been stationed in vehicles ready to be deployed in an emergency.

Staffordshire Police has said the introduction of armed officers onsite is purely a precautionary measure and not due to any specific threat.

Mike Lowe, communications account manager for the force, said: "We encourage the public to engage with them as they would any other police officer as, first and foremost, they are there to provide reassurance and are part of a larger, planned operation to ensure a safe and secure event."

V Festival takes place this weekend, from Friday through to Sunday.

For more information on the festival, click here