Cops admit festival problems
Published 1 Oct 2009 09:00
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POLICE have pledged tougher action on yobs at Reading Festival after concerns about riots and fires on the last night.
Reading West MP Martin Salter met police, festival organisers and Reading Borough Council on Friday after complaints from festival-goers that mobs were terrorising the campsite on August 31.
Chief Inspector Dave Parker said: "It was apparent that right up to the Sunday evening the event had probably been the best-run ever. However, despite our best efforts, the last night was particularly busy and some of the activities that took place need to be addressed. It is too early to say how the policing operation will be amended to prevent and resolve the Sunday night antics of the few that appeared to ruin what had been a most enjoyable festival. But rest assured all the partners are keen to prevent a repeat in 2010."
Organisers Festival Republic declined to comment. Mr Salter said after the meeting: "One of the most harrowing reports was from a young girl who said when she got back to her campsite a friend was sleeping in her tent and the mob grabbed the next door tent and threw it onto the fire.
"One shudders to think what would have happened if the drunken mob had picked up the tent with someone in it and thrown in onto the fire. It was only yards away from becoming a nightmare situation. I think it is a minor miracle there weren't worse injuries."
Mr Salter, who campaigned for the festival to return to Reading in 1986, added: "I want the festival to succeed. But I want it to be not just a great festival but a safe festival.
"In contrast to the initial statements put out by both the police and festival organisers in the aftermath of the trouble, there was a genuine recognition at the meeting that the Sunday night has now become a serious problem and that a specific plan will have to be put in place to clamp down on dangerous anti-social behaviour on this particular night."
Mr Salter suggested a ban on campfires on the last night or only a few designated fires, as well as tighter controls on underage drinking, and entry to the campsite.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 01 Oct 09
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