Planning for the policing operation starts in January with many meetings, site visits and strategies written between then and now.

The on-site operation starts on June 19 when police officers, PCSOs and police staff move into the police compound within the festival site to await the first people through the gates when they open on Wednesday.

We will be on site until Friday July 3, after the last person has packed up their tent and the last car has finally got out of the car park.

We work closely with the festival organisers and security officers throughout the week, ironing out any problems which occur and trying to make sure the festival is as safe and crime-free as possible.

Then, by the end of Friday July 2, we’re all packed up – the horses are driven back to their stables in Bristol, the portacabins are dismantled and the police commander goes off to have a good rest, all ready for the planning for Glastonbury 2010 starting in six months!