Criminals known to target festivals have been written to by Wiltshire Police and banned from WOMAD.

For the third time police are cracking down on thefts and other crime at the world music festival, by targeting known offenders and telling them they are not welcome.

Crime rates at the Charlton Park festival near Malmesbury have dropped considerably since the first year it was held there three years ago.

In 2007 167 crimes were committed on the opening night, but this dropped to just 30 the following year and down to 15 in 2009.

Superintendent Gavin Williams will personally oversee the policing of the three and a half day festival.

He said: “We are taking a very tough stance on people who are coming to WOMAD to commit crime.

“They are not welcome and we have written to everyone arrested for committing crime at festivals in the UK and told them they are not welcome. They are banned and will be escorted from the premises if they do show up.

“If they commit crime they will be arrested.

“We have intelligence packages on all of them including their photographs, addresses, their associates, what cars they drive, all sorts.

“We will have plenty of staff on duty including undercover officers.”

Wiltshire Police have been active in the National Festival Intelligence Network which sees police departments sharing information and best practice techniques.

Supt Williams said: “It’s getting sharper each year and plays a part of the robust message we are sending to criminals.”

Despite the mass influx of festival goers the force’s traffic management plan kept congestion to a minimum last year.

Supt Williams said: “Last year we didn’t have any problems. The traffic management plan is in place and the signs are already up.”