Security and Scams

[tommylawson72]

I love reading festival and this year will be my fifth. I have noticed over the years a few things that are getting worse. Mainly on site prices + security rules.

Ok, I know that a lot of the rules are for our own safety but last year took the piss. They has a rule that you weren't allowed bottles into the arena whatsover! My experience was when i tried to go into the arena with a bottle of water. The security guard said i wasnt permitted in with it, I asked him if i was allowed in if i took the lid off (this is the usual rule), he said no. I said what about if I empty it and take the lid off, he still said no in an aggressive manner. I swore (not at him) and threw it in the bin. He chased after me and went mental and threatened to throw me out! My point is, it was stupidly hot and water was essential if ur spending a whole day in the arena. Second point is that they sell bottles of water in there so what stops u buying one of them, filling it to brim and throwing it!!!??? I believe it is purely so they can rip u off within the arena. I think water was £2 or £3. Surely they need to relax this rule this year as dehydration at festivals is a big issue considering how much alcohol ppl drink.

Just to whinge more, the food prices are stupid!!! If u make the effort to walk 2 mins outside the main entrance you can buy fast food at 1/3 the price. Surely they would sell loads more if they dropped the prices. I know that i would buy loads of booze and drink on site if their prices were only SLIGHTLY over the cost of outside places.

Does anyone else have any experiences of stupid security issues or general rip offs or known scams on site?

[penny_wishes]

I thought they made it clear the no bottles rule was because they didn't want to let people bring food and drink in - I believe the official rule was you could bring them in, as long as they were sealed (I presume to stop people bringing in vodka etc)? Although personally I just didn't bring anything so not sure how well they enforced it, I don't like having any reason to be hassled if I can help it.

Was your bottle sealed or already opened?

[penny_wishes]

I do agree that they should relax this rule though, or at least make more free water available within the site - I saw a number of people pass out during the day last year, particularly on Saturday, whether this was dehydration or drug/alcohol related who knows, but considering SOME people think it's acceptable to urinate at water points in the campsite etc there should be more guaranteed clean drinking water available for free, or at least a lower price, in both the arena and the campsite.