Sniffer Dog Operation To Be Carried Out At Beyond The Valley Festival

28 December 2018 | 9:15 am | Staff Writer

The festival kicks off today.

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Police have confirmed a sniffer dog operation will be in place at Victoria's Beyond The Valley festival which kicks off today. 

The Passive Alert Detection (PAD) dogs will be on patrol outside the entry gates of the Lardner Park event "sniffing out illegal substances".

"While we would like everyone to enjoy themselves, we would like to remind that anyone caught in possession of drugs or alcohol will face tough penalties," a statement issued to Facebook today reads.

"Revellers displaying drug-affected and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and will receive on-the-spot fines."

Acts scheduled to perform at Beyond The Valley over the coming days include The Kooks, Tash Sultana, PNAU, Duke Dumont and Ball Park Music; scroll down for more details.

Meanwhile, Victoria Police say "community safety" will be their key focus this New Year's Eve, with thousands of officers to be deployed throughout the CBD, towns and holiday destinations. 

“From the shores, to the suburbs and the CBD, police will be there with the community every step of the way ensuring you are safe and feel safe,” Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said in a statement.

“We want to see Victorians enjoy themselves safely and responsibly, so we’ll be focusing on anti-social behaviour, violence, and drink and drug driving.

“If you come into the city or any New Year’s Eve events across the state to cause trouble, don’t bother. You will be arrested and held to account if you break the law.”