Staffordshire Police are sending letters to about 300 people who have committed offences at the event, and at other festivals across the country.

Officers have been working on a database of people who will be targeted if they decide to attend the festival.

Anyone caught smuggling weapons or drugs at the event could end up in one of the police's mobile custody units.

Sniffer dogs

Supt Kevin O'Leary, one of the event commanders who is overseeing the initiative, said: "Staffordshire's V Festival has the reputation of being among the safest on the summer calendar and we are going all out to make sure that it is as safe as we can make it.

We want them to know we are aware of who they are and tell them what we are doing to tackle them Supt Kevin O'Leary

"The event has an excellent reputation and we want to keep it that way by making sure that the criminal minority don't spoil it for the rest.

"We're sending letters to previous offenders who are known to us and other forces around the UK.

"We want them to know we are aware of who they are and tell them what we are doing to tackle them."

A range of measures will be used to deter criminals at the festival including Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) devices, which will be used at entrance gates.