THE organisers of a major food festival cancelled days before taking place have blamed 'police pressure' for the event not going ahead.

Droitwich Food Festival, which has been running for years, was cancelled after organisers said they were unable to get a licence due to police objections. 

However, police say they do not make decisions on whether licences can be granted - and have only given their view on public safety. 

Blue Strawberry Events organise a number of free-to-enter food festivals in Worcestershire including in Droitwich and Evesham. 

According to the company, police have objected to the license following a "minor scuffle" at a previous festival. 

A spokesperson for Blue Strawberry Events said: "We are really sorry to bring you the frustrating news that despite our best efforts that our Droitwich Food Festival can no longer go ahead.

"We have been running successful food festivals for numerous years without any issues.

"The police attended one of our food festivals earlier this year because of a minor scuffle that broke out.

"Our security team had already dealt with the minor scuffle but the police have logged that minor fight and have since objected to our events going ahead for health & safety reasons.

"We employ professional SIA security staff and professional medic’s.

"We are however guilty of having unlimited numbers of people enjoying our free entry food festivals just like many other festivals throughout the UK, including town centres with no crowd control.

"Who monitors numbers of visitors in an open town centre food festival?

"The police are not happy, saying our events are too popular in Droitwich."

Droitwich Food Festival was set to happen on September 28 and September 29 in Lido Park. 

The spokesperson continued: "We have always applied for a TENS license like similar-sized festivals in the same area and have had no issues until this year.

"The Police have made an objection to every TENS license that we have applied for blocking our free entry food festivals for the local community to enjoy on the basis of health & safety because of a minor fight and the number of attendants at our events.

"They have become too busy and popular we are told.

"A different type of license will be applied for next year.

"See you all in 2025."

West Mercia Police have not denied objecting to the event but said that they did not make the final decision. 

Chief Superintendent Edd Williams from West Mercia Police said: “We understand the disappointment at this event being cancelled.

"We would like to clarify that the police do not have the final decision on whether a pre-planned event can go ahead, rather it’s a decision by a panel operated by the Regulatory Authority.

"As part of the process, we are asked for our view on public safety – just as you would expect.

“Licences are legally required and put in place for your safety, and there are rules and conditions that must be followed for a licence, including the TENs licence, to be granted.

"We understand that the panel didn't approve the licence on this occasion.

“The organisation planning this particular event has cancelled a number of events in recent weeks with a very similar statement.”