Pledge for Witnesses

[doyleo]

Can anyone who witnessed the below please help?

My Dad was assulted by a Security guard this year without any reason. My parents were trying to get back to the Campervan site through the carparks from my camp, Gold. They got onto the main road part of the carparks and a Security guard came running over and pushed my dad in the chest, started shouting at him to get back in the campsite, he was going to get him thrown out blah blah blah.

My dad is a big, muscley guy. He told the guard not to talk to him like that and then went back the way they should be going. All the while my parents were walking back, the guard was goading my dad to try and get a reaction, they ignored him as he didn't want to hurt the guy or get thrown out. When the guard decided he was in close enough proximity for back up, he pushed my dad on the floor, pushed his head into the ground, punched him, kicked him, twisted his arm behind his back. At this point my dad passed out and medical back up was called.

After having his eye glued back together, an ECG, his arm put in a sling. The docs wanted him to go to hospital but he decided not to. The head of security has investigated the situation and all the witnesses (and fellow Security guards) agreed with my parents side of the story. The guard was thrown off site.

My Dad has been to the Doctors and sent onto the hospital as he has broken his arm and thumb, which will need a pin put in it to be repaired.

I have got to tell you, this ruined the festival for my parents (who were first timers at v fest) and I think it is appauling. My dad now can't go to work until his arm and shoulder are fixed, so he is at a loss of earnings. A very stern letter will be being sent to Virgin. I would go as far to say, I doubt I will be giving them any of my money again.

Edited August 25, 2009 by doyleo

[Curtmeister]

Wow that is pretty bad and sorry to hear that.

I think you should sue them never mind a stern letter, that is unforgivable and is GBH, the guy would get put down for quite a while if he had done that in the street.

I would pursue legal action if i was your parents.

[doyleo]

I think legal action will be taken. Apparently it's G4 Security, my mum has the head of security at V fest's business card. I can just imagine it being my parents word against theirs

[Rockybox]

OMG !! Thats terrible - to be honest i think the security at V is a joke - just a bunch of mindless thugs most of the time .

Really hope you get some justice for what a clearly a crime !

[Sooperstar]

Really horrible what happened and stuff but if all the witnesses that were there have backed up your parents' story then I'm not sure why you would need any more? Especially if some of the witnesses were this guy's fellow security staff.

[doyleo]

The witnesses that were around spoke to the Head of Security, my mum was talking two lads just as my dad was being put into the medical van, but then dad passed out so mum rushed off before catching their details.

The witness details would be helpful for when we go to the police. I'm not on here looking for sympathy or making this up, I am trying to get the person that did this dealt with before he does it to anyone else.

[pete99]

The witnesses that were around spoke to the Head of Security, my mum was talking two lads just as my dad was being put into the medical van, but then dad passed out so mum rushed off before catching their details.

The witness details would be helpful for when we go to the police. I'm not on here looking for sympathy or making this up, I am trying to get the person that did this dealt with before he does it to anyone else.

[shedboy66]

thats really terribel tell your dad to put in for criminal injuries I know he'll still be angry but he'll get a payout from them although it can take some months for it it go through

do the security not have to go through full disclosures before being employed - bastards

[doyleo]

They have been to police this afternoon.

He has broken his thumb and shoulder at the ball joint and his arm, operation tomorrow.

[mfeltham]

A security guard/marshall told me Sunday that the previous Sat night after the event was over, the two heads of security almost had a punch up back stage! This was at chelmsford. Do they use one company or a few?

[Animaal]

There was (Staffs) at least two different companies, G4S and someone else...

[Jennyd]

That is absolutely disgusting what they did to your father and shouldnt get away with it! Don't let it lie.

I found the majority of staff at the festival rude and thick, god knows where they get these people from!

[doyleo]

G4S did Stafford. The scary thing is they do most of the big events. For all we know, he could go to Leed's next weekend and do the exact same thing!!

[Sooperstar]

G4S get the contract and then sub-contract to other companies I think. The security staff they had at TITP were a nightmare. Absolutely useless. They're the kind of people that you wouldn't even want in as paying punters, never mind having any kind of power.

[bekimo]

Glad ur parents are going to the police. I mean yes there are signs saying pedestrians shouldnt be on the roads and stuff but that is no excuse for mindless brutality. Especially as your parents turned around and did what he asked in the first place.

I hope this guy gets made an example of!

I didnt have any run ins with security at all. In fact I saw two fights and not a security person in sight. One of the fights was some big bloke starting on this young girl which was a bit disgusting.

I do think staff at festivals in general are basically pants!!

[t0mW]

G4S did Stafford. The scary thing is they do most of the big events. For all we know, he could go to Leed's next weekend and do the exact same thing!!

[doyleo]

Just a bump and a quick update.

The incident happened on FRIDAY at the entrance to Gold campsite from the South car parks, just near the search tent at around 6ish?

I have just had news from my mum that the police are dealing with the situation. The worrying thing is (which I have only just been told) my mum saw the guard on SUNDAY drinking beers in the strongbow tent. She went over to two other female security guards to confirm that it was him and they said "we know he has been involved in an incident, but we think he is still here for the ratio of numbers"

I cannot believe it.

[Travelling Monkeys]

This is awful!

I hope that the Police manage to track this thug down and he gets all that's coming to him. Keep us posted if you can. Security my arse!

I hope your Dad's operation goes well tomorrow and he has a speedy recovery.

[doyleo]

Bump bump.

Thanks for all your kind words, any help at all would be appreciated.

[Paul ™]

There was (Staffs) at least two different companies, G4S and someone else...

[Sooperstar]

Just a bump and a quick update.

The incident happened on FRIDAY at the entrance to Gold campsite from the South car parks, just near the search tent at around 6ish?

[doyleo]

G4S hold the contract

Subcontractors were

Specialized Security

Diamond Security

MAN Guarding

BBP Security

probably a couple others too

Doyleo, did that happen at Gold Campsite search area?

I was working in that area and though I didn't see the incident, I got informed about it. I worked for Specialized Security and if it was the incident then the bloke was from G4S.

Possibly can get witnesses if I did a bit of digging on the other staff we had there who seen it.

Hope you get it sorted..

Edited September 2, 2009 by doyleo

[cabstar]

See a lawyer who will sue V Festival, as G4S are an agent of V Festival, V festival will be covered by their insurance for this, they need to have public liability insurance minimum for this kind of event.

The police statement in itself will be enough evidence for a civil action against V Festival.

Unfortunately legal action like this is the only way to ensure disgusting incidents like this never happen again.

[doyleo]

We are in the process of taking legal action. The wheels are in motion!

[FluffyBeanie]

I hope your Dad is on the mend and that the police have taken you seriously. Keep posting updates please - I am interested to hear how this all turns out. If you need advice on dealing with the police and what to expect from them, PM me.