WOMAD returns this weekend to Charlton Park near Malmesbury for a bonanza of world music, exotic food and quirky stalls.

Headline acts, who have come from around the world to perform, include Baaba Maal, Alpha Blondy, Gogol Bordello and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

With 30,000 music fans coming to North Wiltshire, insuring everyone navigates their way safely to Charlton Park can be a headache.

But Malmesbury Police Sergeant Martin Alvis said for the past three years there had been hardly any problems.

He said: “It’s a well planned operation now.

“WOMAD are good at managing the traffic entering the site and we will have dedicated traffic units on duty.

“Like the last few years we will have a towing system in operation, which will tow away vehicles parked illegally on the side of the road.”

Chief Inspector Charlie Dibble, who has headed up the policing of WOMAD, said cracking down on thieves and drug users would be a priority this year.

He said: “Our focus will be on people intending to cause distress to people by stealing their goods and their cash.

“Last year we had people saying there were more drugs than in previous years, so we are determined to crack down on that.

“We will have police officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, on the site throughout the whole weekend. As a force this is one of our larger operations during the year.”

In a bid to ward off previous offenders, 25 letters were written to people who caused problems in past years.

Ch Insp Dibble said: “They received letters from both the police and WOMAD banning them from the event.

“The message is if you want to commit crime or use drugs then stay away. We will be targeting you.”

Traders in the Malmesbury area can benefit from the influx of people, but with the vast majority of revellers camping on site, Tom Hudson of the Rose and Crown in Malmesbury High Street said the benefit is limited.

He said: “It’s not a good week for me. The festival is a mile outside town and people go and camp there.”

Tickets are still available.

Call 0118 960 6060 for details.