Eastern Cape police said they had deployed enough personnel to Grahamstown for the 2018 National Arts Festival which got underway on Thursday.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga, said deployments were in full swing.
Provincial spokesperson, Captain Mali Govender said the police would work with other stakeholders to ensure festival-goers were safe.
“ We are in full gear to police the 2018 National Arts Festival. There will be enough personnel deployed daily on foot and vehicle patrols. Additional resources will join the deployments.We are working closely with other National, Provincial and Local stakeholders to ensure that our guests and local community feel safe," she said.
Govender told Algoa FM News that static police points have also been established in several parts of the City of Saints, including at Settlers Monument and the Village Green. "Static Points providing easy access for enquiries and reports will be manned by experienced police personnel under the command of a senior officer,".
Govender said that other venues would be monitored and policed as well throughout the festival's duration.
"Road Blocks and vehicle checkpoints will be held to ensure the safety of the community and our festival goers. We are working closely with Provincial and Local emergency services through the safety and events committee platform," she said.
Govender said air support would also be on standby for the duration of the event.
The list static points identified by the police:
1.Settlers Monument
2. High Street
3.Church Square
4.Huntley Street( parallel to High Street and back entrance to Victoria Girls School and entrance to Village Green Venue)
5. Fiddlers Green
6. Noluthando Hall,Joza
7.Fingo Village(at Library)
