Festival policy: the future of security?

Subject: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Jun 17 - 03:16 AM

Sad but wise policy given recent events in Manchester etc: Priddy Folk Festival (7-9th July) have instigated a policy of searching bags taken into venues. see Priddy Folk Festival security page

Of course it may reveal who brings their own instead of buying booze at the bar.

AND I might add - lock your valuables in the car, or put them in the sleeping bag with you - like your wallet.
The first night is usually the critical time when people are inebriated, elated and glad to get some kip. You can't predict which festival will be targeted, but faces in the tent opening saying "Sorry wrong tent" are a good indictation - take their photgraph if you can.
An unzipped tent in the morning - check your trousers/handbag.
Trip to the loo (even in daylight) - hide the valuables first.

My recommendation is to tie Morris bells on the zip - but if it is too windy - use a long enough string so that only an open flap will move them. One guy laid upturned bottle tops along the entrance after he was awakened by a face in the entrance.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 26 Jun 17 - 06:15 AM

Not always easy for the organisers. Some festival sites have a public footpath running through them, and even festivals like Bromyard which fence off the site have been targeted.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: JHW
Date: 26 Jun 17 - 11:05 AM

Such a shame things have got like this.
In my early festival camping the sites were not even restricted to seasoned ticket holders. Anyone could camp so those who could not afford to pay could still benefit from and add to the atmosphere but only do free events.
No motorhomes then.
Even at St.Chartier mid France some folks would stay the whole festival and never pay to go in the Chateau events. (Extensive camping there free to all)

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Jun 17 - 05:57 PM

If I've never heard of Priddy before, I doubt if ISIS or the South Wales branch of the EDL have.

Precautions against suicide bombings and psycho van drivers don't have a lot to do with tent thefts.

On a less criminal note, how safe are the gas bottles most campervan owners use? Do explosions often happen?

I see they're playing it really safe on their website - nothing on it gives you any clue as to where Priddy is. Maybe they have people out switching the roadsigns round the week before just to make sure.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Reinhard
Date: 26 Jun 17 - 06:15 PM

It took me just a few moments to find the menu entry Info -> Location:

"Priddy is a small village on top of the Mendip Hills above Cheddar Gorge and the city of Wells. It is around 15miles from both Bristol and Bath."

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Jun 17 - 06:40 PM

Paranoid in Priddy...

Fear of outsiders smuggling in their outside world ideas and ways....??? 😜

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: GUEST,Gozz without his cookie
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 07:22 AM

Jack is right that security measures against suicide bombers or similar terrorist acts must be separated from thefts of belongings at festivals. As someone who has helped with that festival for quite a few years I can say that steps are already taken with regards to the latter.

However, as a security trained professional I have to say that some of the tone of this thread seems to be peopl burying their heads in the sand. Priddy is a regular event, within easy travelling of Bath, Bristol, the M4 and M5. It's organisers need to make decisions on these matters based on attendance figures and various other issues which are perhaps best not discussed in detail here or in any other open forum. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't take seriously the current threat status in the country. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this friendly, lively festival and am sad that health prevents me attending this year, but I applaud the decision made here to tweak security to provide an anti-terror element. I have supervised stewards there in the past who came down to the festival from the Manchester area and know other attendees who are from other far flung parts of the country. This is not a "local event for local people, where everybody knows everybody else". Well done the Committee.

Yes it is sad that such policies have to be brought in at folk events, but currently it is necessary. As someone said to me at a horse racing event I was working at recently, "If you check me and everyone else we are all safer, so go ahead my dear". We all need to adopt such an attitude until the threat is sufficiently reduced.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Johnny J
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 07:51 AM

I've no issue with being searched but, in my experience, many people in security have seemed to be more concerned about people bringing in their own food and drink than more serious matters.

As far as booze is concerned, if there's a bar I can see the point and drugs should obviously be discouraged. However, I've often been refused permission to bring in bottles of water, sandwiches, snacks and so on.

Yes, there may be food stalls but they invariably don't meet the strict dietary requirements which many of us with health issues have to abide by. Also, it is important for many people to keep as well hydrated as possible and it's unfair to force us to purchase bottled water at inflated prices.

So, by all means, increase security but don't use it as an excuse to benefit festival traders.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 08:26 AM

Yes, agreed, this current climate of fear and suspicion must be a boom time for security professionals.
I didn't realise Priddy was so cosmopolitan.
So many Asian faces in the crowd needing to be kept a close eye on by security volunteer farmers with pitchforks and shotguns,
going about normal life and not letting the bad guys win.
Got to keep local minor aristocrats attending the festival feeling safe from harm's way.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 08:26 AM

Security is security. By making a policy that says you will be searched means people are watching. It is a deterrent rather than a search. It is also re-assurance to right thinking Folkies. We are blessed with more of the latter.

And security is not just the job of the organisers. It is everybody's job. If you value your wallet, take precautions, know where it is and you won't lose (or have it lost for your).

Water must be made available at dance events. It can be sold, but you cannot refuse access to it. It's the law.

Your connection is security, if you don't understand that, give me your wallet to look after!

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 08:52 AM

many people in security have seemed to be more concerned about people bringing in their own food and drink than more serious matters

And the effect of that is likely to be interference with the more important stuff. If the staff are asked to search people for contraband like cans of cider, bags of crisps and bottles of water, the customers will conceal them. The result being that just about everybody going through the door will look like they're hiding something, and the person who really is hiding something that matters will be much less conspicuous.

From the images of Priddy I see on the web, this is likely to be a marquees-in-a-field event. There's no way to secure that against a determined killer. The good news is that there are so few roads into it that it will be quite easy to screen vehicles long before they get near the site, and to slow all traffic down to the point where vehicular homicide is impossible.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 09:22 AM

So Priddy attracts festival goers from all corners of the UK because of it's close proximity to a major motorway.
Well good luck to them.

Priddy's very limited accessibliity by local public transport is the reason me and the mrs have never been able to try out this festival.
...and we live relatively nearby down here in Scrumpyshire..

Now I've no reasonable grounds to presume Priddy is exclusive and snobby,
but the website does recommend paying for taxis from the nearest towns with a bus stop.

RIP Burnham on Sea Folk Fest.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 11:16 AM

..and just out of curiosity, what will be the Priddy bag searchers response to laptops, tablets, mobile battery recharger power banks, etc,
and all other electronic devices increasingly prohibited by airport security...???

Even underpants have been used to conceal dangerous things that go bang !!!??? 🙄

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 11:30 AM

The Scottish regiments of the British Army solved that one. Compulsory kilts with a mirror on the floor at the ticket desk.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 11:49 AM

Beginning to wonder if Capt. Mainwaring & Sgt. Wilson have been put in charge of Priddy security... 😜

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Jun 17 - 12:56 PM

It was a lovely little festival when I went in 1993 or 4. Mind you, the village hall was the dance venue then. It is a bigger shindig now.
I doubt there will be any draconian attitudes. And laptops and mobile phones in venues should be policed by the audience. Put the bloody things on vibrate!

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Jun 17 - 06:52 AM

Some comments here about Le Son Continu, a very much larger festival in France:

http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php/topic,20720.msg249642.html

They have more to be worried about, though it seems they aren't that worried.

Johnny J may have some comments about the Tønder festival in Denmark, which is even bigger.

Subject: RE: Festival policy: the future of security?
From: Johnny J
Date: 28 Jun 17 - 08:26 AM

Re Tonder,

It's changed somewhat these days and is mostly held within one area where you need a wristband pass to enter. This gets you to all the concerts.
It used to be that all the individual concerts were ticketed and held in various parts of the town including the festival site itself. It was easier to be "part of the festival" without committing yourself to concerts.

Security was never much of an issue in the old days although "health and safety" was always taken seriously. They did check for booze on occasion but water was usually allowed in if the bottle was sealed. No restrictions on food.


I've not been for a few years and things may well have become stricter.