THE security chief at Upton Blues Festival has defended his team and took aim at police after an assault led to a woman fighting for her life. 

Following the assault, which saw a 56-year-old woman fall after being pushed and hitting her head on a steel pipe, several readers contacted the Gazette bemoaning the lack of security at the festival compared to previous years. 

Mike Blissett, who was responsible for security at the festival, said he was 'disgusted' by the lack of police presence at the event and said police said they had insufficient officers to attend an emergency call.

The police said it was the organiser's responsibility to ensure there was appropriate security, but Upton Blues Festival chairman Grahame Bunn added there was more security than ever before at this year's event. 

Police are now keen to speak to a group of people, seen on a horse and cart, who are believed to have been in Upton throughout the day. 

The assault took place at around 7pm on Waterside on Sunday, July 21, which initially caused the woman's face to bleed, but she was later taken to hospital with a life-threatening head injury.

Mr Blissett said his security team did not witness anything but were on the scene within 30 seconds and gave her medical treatment immediately. 

He added there were ten security staff in the town, 20 on the campsite and many more elsewhere, with security increased during the evenings. 

He also claimed as well as the assault, there were a gang of seven to ten young people, believed to be between 16 and 18 years old, stealing from shops, winding people up to fight and gaining access to the campsite. 

He added: "During the blues festival, no police officers were present and I was disgusted at the fact that at an event like this no one attended. 

"The only contact we had was to call 999 and 101, and in one call, police said they were unable to attend as there were insufficient numbers of officers."

Dave Wise, Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Malvern Hills and Wychavon, said if a police presence is required it should be formally requested. 

He added: “Although a police presence was not planned at this event our patrol teams did pay passing attention around their normal duties.

“We have not received any reports of criminal damage to vehicles or a group of youths causing anti-social behaviour and would encourage the public to report any crimes to us so we can act upon the reports."

He did not comment on Mr Blissett's claims police did not have sufficient numbers to attend one emergency call.