Security

In any huge gathering there is bound to be some crime. Glastonbury is an overwhelmingly peaceful event, but there are always some sad people who see it as an easy place to steal. By far the most common crime is theft from - or even of - tents.

The best advice is:

  • only bring what you can afford to lose
    You can buy disposable cameras on site; there are TV programmes & webcasts after the Festival - you don't need your video camera; all over the site are soundsystems delivering the best live music - you don't need that walkman or ghetto-blaster

  • read the Police Glastonbury website, and act on it

    it contains useful information to help you have a better Festival!

  • camp near friends - remember "safety in groups"
    When camping at any Festival, try to find friends to camp near to you - you can look out for each others property when it would otherwise be unprotected. Thieves are less likely to strike when someone is there. Alternatively, make friends with your neighbours - the chances are they're friendly!

  • mark your property and your tent
    label your gear (including your tent) with your postcode - don't be subtle about it, make sure the marking is indelible and obvious as thieves want unidentifiable property. Marking will significantly reduce the risk of things being stolen. Don't take a £700 Everest-expedition specialist tent if you have the choice : get a £50 cheapie from a basic camping supplier, or something second-hand. Tag your keys with a phone number and a friends address.

  • don't challenge people looking through tents - report them to Festival staff or the Police

    Challenging a person going through property in a tent may lead to confrontation and can sometimes result in violence. There are large numbers of Festival staff available all over the site: report incidents to them - they have radios or backup and can contact the Police if necessary. Campsite stewards are there for reporting suspicious or blatant naughtiness, and offenders WILL be expelled from site, but sometimes it may seem as though nothing is immediately happening as observations are being made

  • use the security lockups for your valuables
    the lockups are FREE and available 24 hours - this year there are more spaces (but not umlimited!)

  • when you leave your tent...
    take any valuables with you, to keep on your person or put in the lockups. To make life harder for thieves, leave your tent untidy so there is not an obvious bag to grab quickly

  • be inventive about where you hide your valuables when asleep or drunk
    you may not hear someone enter your tent, so separate your money and valuables into small amounts and hide them in different places in your tent - you're less likely to lose the lot

  • stay with your friends or people you trust
    unfortunately at any large gathering there are a small number of people who attend to prey on others.You present a far less vunerable target as a group than you would on your own

  • if you need medication keep it with you
    some prescription medicines are sought by thieves. If you need to have medicines with you on site either keep them with you or keep them secure in the lockups

  • money sense
    - don't keep all your cash and valuables together : spread them around in different pockets
    - If using the cash machines after dark, go with a friend.

    - bring a chequebook containing just one cheque for each day.
    - only take the credit cards you need.
    - make a note of your credit card numbers and leave it at home, plus the number to call if they are mislaid (phone numbers for lost credit cards are also held at Info Points)

    • If you do have something stolen, or if you lose something :

  • Lost property is at the Waggonshed by the Farmhouse. A huge amount of gear is handed in during and after the Festival. Lots of owners are reunited with their gear - you are not wasting your time.

  • The Police compound is also near the Farmhouse. Please report all crime. The Police can give you statements for insurance purposes.

    • Wristbands
    Without giving away the full passout system, Glastonbury Festival wishes it to be known that wristbanding of all the public who enter the site via the turnstiles will be reintroduced this Festival. This is an idea successfully used at many European festivals.

    The wristbands themselves will not be used as passouts, only as part of the system, so there will be no purpose in transferring the wristbands or attempting to sell or buy them, for by themselves they would be useless. Indeed, the wristbands are printed with the words 'Not Valid For Entry - Must be worn at all times' which makes this clear. Once inside the security fence the authorities are able to make a visual check on the legitimacy of each person on site.

    This new system is expected to further reduce the likelihood of people attempting to come to the Festival without tickets, and is supported by both the Police and Mendip District Council as a second layer of security

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