Urgently need photos of riots last night

[Paul ™]

At the end of the day, it's the fault of the organizers. The police presence and extra security were useless, completely useless.

[MM Punk]

What a complete moron you are

[dave_mac]

i really disagree that the security and police were useless. this year more than any other year infact i saw loads of fires being put out before they grew into anything significant, and i saw all those doing it having to put up with alot of shit in the process.

it's inevitable that these guys can't put out every single fire straight away, nor reprimand every single person causing trouble, but from what i saw they really do try and limit the damage as much as possible.

i also think people are a little too quick to jump up and complain at the police or security for being snappy at times because i imagine if we had to deal with the stress of trying to keep a sunday night reading calm, we'd almost all probably at some point after the 1000th person tells you for the 1000th time something needs to be done about some punk kid want to tell that person to piss off for five minutes.

basically i have a feeling the reason nobody has been killed or seriously, seriously hurt on a sunday night so far is because of the efforts of the security and other forces. please give them a break. it's really not their fault.

nor is it the fault of the festival organisers that really is a ridiculous statement (which is why i imagine there was no intial arguement to the above comment and merely a 'moron' insult). could you clarify in more detail how you came to that conclusion?

the only possible point i could see there is that they allow fires in the campsites. however this is down to the overwhelming majority of people going to the festival being in fasvour of keeping fires, being as the overwhelming majority of people lighting the fires do so for warmth and a central social point for their campsites, it's part of the camping experience. they can't be held responsible if people take adavantage of the fires and start messing about. they do try and do their best to stop this from happening by placing restrictions on the fires, what is and isn't allowed into the campsites, having security putting out fires that don't adhere to all this and by informing and warning the happy campers about the dangers of playing with fire, so yes again i don't see how it can be their fault.

if anything other festival goers have more blame at their door, for letting the festival grow a reputation for being one that is rebellious with the obligatory 'riots' on the last night by not stopping the kids etc causing all the problems right away, and this is a problem that is still ongoing. like someone else said alot of the time if you confront these kids early enough, they stop f**king around and sleek off embarassed...

but yeah lay off the security please, they do their best, and it's not like they get much pay or thanks either, and i bet you'd rather they were there than nothing at all...

[MM Punk]

i really disagree that the security and police were useless. this year more than any other year infact i saw loads of fires being put out before they grew into anything significant, and i saw all those doing it having to put up with alot of shit in the process.

it's inevitable that these guys can't put out every single fire straight away, nor reprimand every single person causing trouble, but from what i saw they really do try and limit the damage as much as possible.

i also think people are a little too quick to jump up and complain at the police or security for being snappy at times because i imagine if we had to deal with the stress of trying to keep a sunday night reading calm, we'd almost all probably at some point after the 1000th person tells you for the 1000th time something needs to be done about some punk kid want to tell that person to piss off for five minutes.

basically i have a feeling the reason nobody has been killed or seriously, seriously hurt on a sunday night so far is because of the efforts of the security and other forces. please give them a break. it's really not their fault.

nor is it the fault of the festival organisers that really is a ridiculous statement (which is why i imagine there was no intial arguement to the above comment and merely a 'moron' insult). could you clarify in more detail how you came to that conclusion?

the only possible point i could see there is that they allow fires in the campsites. however this is down to the overwhelming majority of people going to the festival being in fasvour of keeping fires, being as the overwhelming majority of people lighting the fires do so for warmth and a central social point for their campsites, it's part of the camping experience. they can't be held responsible if people take adavantage of the fires and start messing about. they do try and do their best to stop this from happening by placing restrictions on the fires, what is and isn't allowed into the campsites, having security putting out fires that don't adhere to all this and by informing and warning the happy campers about the dangers of playing with fire, so yes again i don't see how it can be their fault.

if anything other festival goers have more blame at their door, for letting the festival grow a reputation for being one that is rebellious with the obligatory 'riots' on the last night by not stopping the kids etc causing all the problems right away, and this is a problem that is still ongoing. like someone else said alot of the time if you confront these kids early enough, they stop f**king around and sleek off embarassed...

but yeah lay off the security please, they do their best, and it's not like they get much pay or thanks either, and i bet you'd rather they were there than nothing at all...

[tristan119]

What worked for me was , I told these little F***ers straight come anywhere near my Tent and i'll kick you all around this Purple campsite bearing in mind we got robbed on the Friday night while we were sleeping

Edited September 4, 2009 by tristan119

[MM Punk]

What worked for me was , I told these little F***ers straight come anywhere near my Tent and i'll kick you all around this Purple campsite bearing in mind we got robbed on the Friday night while we were sleeping

[tristan119]

It's common sense not to confront a large group on your own, regardless of how old they are. If anything that would only escalate the problem. The only way that would work is if a larger group confronted them.

But as I said before, the reason we moved on the Sunday night is that the trouble was really kicking off and I knew that if one of them hurt my girlfriend then i'd be after blood and I never wanted that to happen. The only time I really get angry is if someone I care about gets hurt/upset, if it's just me then it's not so much of an issue.

[getupkid83]

Security are top notch, have been at every Reading I've been to (8 years on the trot). Its not an easy job, there's a large contingency of kids thinking their tough to deal with and the majority are Scottish and therefore probably have an in-built mood switch that goes off within 100 miles of London anyway!

The only complaint I do have is the speeding down the paths on their quad bikes on Sundays. I understand there's a need to chase around after the little f*ckers all night because mummy isn't there to keep them under control - and quite possibly daddy didn't love them either, but I'd hate to see an innocent festival go-er get struck by one of those things (By all means plough into the 'angry mob' though!)

[sadwitch]

if anything other festival goers have more blame at their door, for letting the festival grow a reputation for being one that is rebellious with the obligatory 'riots' on the last night by not stopping the kids etc causing all the problems right away, and this is a problem that is still ongoing. like someone else said alot of the time if you confront these kids early enough, they stop f**king around and sleek off embarassed...

[5co77ie]

Security are top notch, have been at every Reading I've been to (8 years on the trot). Its not an easy job, there's a large contingency of kids thinking their tough to deal with and the majority are Scottish and therefore probably have an in-built mood switch that goes off within 100 miles of London anyway!

The only complaint I do have is the speeding down the paths on their quad bikes on Sundays. I understand there's a need to chase around after the little f*ckers all night because mummy isn't there to keep them under control - and quite possibly daddy didn't love them either, but I'd hate to see an innocent festival go-er get struck by one of those things (By all means plough into the 'angry mob' though!)

[dave_mac]

It's common sense not to confront a large group on your own, regardless of how old they are. If anything that would only escalate the problem. The only way that would work is if a larger group confronted them.

[swax]

By the way MM punk Paul does know what he is talking about, and is more than qualified to contribute in this debate....

Since the early 90s when I started coming to the festival its become worse and worse of an issue this 'rioting'.

I call it 'rioting' because strictly speaking it isn't rioting at all. Its basically mindless criminal damage and intimidation perpatrated by a small minority of people. The main issue with it is that ALOT of people turn up to watch, egg on, and get involved in a minor way which exagerates the issue. Give people fire and of course they will want to throw things in it, dance around it, jump over it, we've been doing that for as long as we've been able to walk upright and create fire...

The fact that this small minority gets bigger and bigger every year is mainly imo down to the changes in attitudes of the young folk of today (Yes I'm late 30s), who are losing their inhibitions easier, drinking more, taking more drugs and generally having little or no respect for anyone but themselves. Blame Channel 4, blame skins, blame TV, blame parents, blame underage alcohol sales, BLAME ANYONE! End of the day as soon as 'rioting' constitutes a 'good time' then we're all in trouble. I'm not condoning these actions in any way, in fact I've been on the receiving end of it plently of times while working the festival over the years - but until we change the deep rooted issues with todays youth and culture then banning fires, changing age limits etc will have no effect.

People need to learn to RESPECT each other, which is something severly lacking at the festival, and in the general outside world.

Right, rant over - Discuss! :-)

[sadwitch]

By the way MM punk Paul does know what he is talking about, and is more than qualified to contribute in this debate....

Since the early 90s when I started coming to the festival its become worse and worse of an issue this 'rioting'.

I call it 'rioting' because strictly speaking it isn't rioting at all. Its basically mindless criminal damage and intimidation perpatrated by a small minority of people. The main issue with it is that ALOT of people turn up to watch, egg on, and get involved in a minor way which exagerates the issue. Give people fire and of course they will want to throw things in it, dance around it, jump over it, we've been doing that for as long as we've been able to walk upright and create fire...

The fact that this small minority gets bigger and bigger every year is mainly imo down to the changes in attitudes of the young folk of today (Yes I'm late 30s), who are losing their inhibitions easier, drinking more, taking more drugs and generally having little or no respect for anyone but themselves. Blame Channel 4, blame skins, blame TV, blame parents, blame underage alcohol sales, BLAME ANYONE! End of the day as soon as 'rioting' constitutes a 'good time' then we're all in trouble. I'm not condoning these actions in any way, in fact I've been on the receiving end of it plently of times while working the festival over the years - but until we change the deep rooted issues with todays youth and culture then banning fires, changing age limits etc will have no effect.

People need to learn to RESPECT each other, which is something severly lacking at the festival, and in the general outside world.

Right, rant over - Discuss! :-)

[Rancidpunk_76]

I've been going to Reading since '96 and this was by far the worst it's been on the Sunday night. Even though we were a good 100 yards or so from the nearest fire we were still having to dodge full beer cans being used as missiles and my mate even had a firework aimed at her - missed her head by literally a couple of feet.

We left at about 2.30 in the morning cos we quite simply didn't feel safe.

Melvin Benn promised more security and increased police presence, there were none where we were in Purple. Naff all.

When speaking to a police officer before it kicked off i was told that there would be no "increased police presence", in fact she informed me that there were only 6 police officers per camp. Yup, SIX.... per camp. If Melvin Benn can't even make the effort to keep his punters safe at his festival then i guess this was my last Reading. Real shame in honesty.

Sonisphere's punters were far better so i think i'll be heading back there next year instead.

[MM Punk]

I've been going to Reading since '96 and this was by far the worst it's been on the Sunday night. Even though we were a good 100 yards or so from the nearest fire we were still having to dodge full beer cans being used as missiles and my mate even had a firework aimed at her - missed her head by literally a couple of feet.

We left at about 2.30 in the morning cos we quite simply didn't feel safe.

Melvin Benn promised more security and increased police presence, there were none where we were in Purple. Naff all.

When speaking to a police officer before it kicked off i was told that there would be no "increased police presence", in fact she informed me that there were only 6 police officers per camp. Yup, SIX.... per camp. If Melvin Benn can't even make the effort to keep his punters safe at his festival then i guess this was my last Reading. Real shame in honesty.

Sonisphere's punters were far better so i think i'll be heading back there next year instead. :angry:

[travelling mr pastry]

...Ok it will encourage some to be all anti-authority like those c**ts who go on protests in London all the time...

[jonnyx]

I've worked around 10 Readings since 1995 and that's the worst I've seen it for evictions...

[beckydi]

This year was my 6th consecutive year at Reading and I fear my last. I had a brilliant time until the Sunday night - I got no sleep and ended up packing our stuff away and driving home - which is a pretty dangerous thing to do as it is. But there was no way I was hanging around there!!

There has always been 'rioting' on a Sunday night but it was generally always people burning their own sh*t. I never felt personally in danger but there was something seriously nasty about this year. We always camp in Yellow and it’s always a fairly noisey bit but I found that the campsites were quieter on the Friday and Saturday nights than the previous years… Almost like it was being stored up for mayhem on Sunday. Saturday night I went to bed at 4am bored off my face because there was nothing going on – usually there is shit going on all night. People were generally less friendly and I’m sick and tired of ‘back scratcher’ and ‘Green Army’ – FFS what a bunch of boring twat-ish sheep shouting the same rubbish over and over again. Eurgh.

The tent next to us got destroyed for no other reason than a bunch of nobs from purple were going to ‘get’ the yellow campsite. There were people in it when they collapsed it, luckily not in the bit near the path. I never camp by the path because people fall on tents there – but people were jumping on tents on purpose yelling for lighters so they could set them alight. This bunch of thugs grew in size and started arguing with one of the guys who was staying in the tent. He looked about 15 and was pretty small… they were spoiling for a fight and it was a totally unfair match!! A frickin group of thugs against a young bloke. They looked properly nasty, yelling some really vile crap and doing weird jumping up and down like getting ready to beat the shit out of him. They finally went away but came back later with a piece of fence which they threw back on the tent – after that the guys camping there just gathered their stuff up and left. Thus exposing our little campsite.

There was other smaller stuff that happened and other people started packing up their tents around us. We’ve had the same tent for 5 years and I hate that people just leave their shit and there was no way I was leaving mine. So we packed up (faster than I’ve ever packed my camping gear up before!) and somehow hauled all our stuff to the car in one go. The journey to the car park was horrible as well. People yelling abuse etc. One really tall, fat bloke started picking on my younger sister. Now, bearing in mind I’m 4ft 11 and my sis is about 5ft 5 this was not exactly what you call a fair match either! He started pushing her and she had all her bags. She tried to laugh it off but he kept doing it and she got really angry and told him that he wasn’t a real man picking on a girl that much smaller than him. I just told him to f**k off, there wasn’t much else I could do. Luckily he backed off a bit, enough for us to go on our way. But I hate to think where that could have gone.

We were camping with a few Reading virgins as well – up until that point they’d loved it but I really think the Sunday night has spoiled it for them. It was like a bloody war zone – I can’t imagine any of them going back. What a waste. I’ve heard that Leeds doesn’t have this?? If so, I’d definitely consider going there instead if the line-up was really good.

I can’t see how much more the organisers can do – there was a bloody pack of riot police for God’s sake roaming about.

I’m taking my tent to another festival – one where I don’t have to fear for my life from a load of middle class, spoilt, stupid 16 year olds who are clearly suffocated by mummy and daddy at home. Sad bastards.

[Budweiser]

Maybe they need fresh faces, and get some fresh ideas in.

[Im_in_a_tent]

Yes, or Stricter rules like - If you're cuasing any danger towards others you get banned from festivals, instead of just evicting them.

[remote]

This year was my 6th consecutive year at Reading and I fear my last. I had a brilliant time until the Sunday night - I got no sleep and ended up packing our stuff away and driving home - which is a pretty dangerous thing to do as it is. But there was no way I was hanging around there!!

There has always been 'rioting' on a Sunday night but it was generally always people burning their own sh*t. I never felt personally in danger but there was something seriously nasty about this year. We always camp in Yellow and it’s always a fairly noisey bit but I found that the campsites were quieter on the Friday and Saturday nights than the previous years… Almost like it was being stored up for mayhem on Sunday. Saturday night I went to bed at 4am bored off my face because there was nothing going on – usually there is shit going on all night. People were generally less friendly and I’m sick and tired of ‘back scratcher’ and ‘Green Army’ – FFS what a bunch of boring twat-ish sheep shouting the same rubbish over and over again. Eurgh.

The tent next to us got destroyed for no other reason than a bunch of nobs from purple were going to ‘get’ the yellow campsite. There were people in it when they collapsed it, luckily not in the bit near the path. I never camp by the path because people fall on tents there – but people were jumping on tents on purpose yelling for lighters so they could set them alight. This bunch of thugs grew in size and started arguing with one of the guys who was staying in the tent. He looked about 15 and was pretty small… they were spoiling for a fight and it was a totally unfair match!! A frickin group of thugs against a young bloke. They looked properly nasty, yelling some really vile crap and doing weird jumping up and down like getting ready to beat the shit out of him. They finally went away but came back later with a piece of fence which they threw back on the tent – after that the guys camping there just gathered their stuff up and left. Thus exposing our little campsite.

There was other smaller stuff that happened and other people started packing up their tents around us. We’ve had the same tent for 5 years and I hate that people just leave their shit and there was no way I was leaving mine. So we packed up (faster than I’ve ever packed my camping gear up before!) and somehow hauled all our stuff to the car in one go. The journey to the car park was horrible as well. People yelling abuse etc. One really tall, fat bloke started picking on my younger sister. Now, bearing in mind I’m 4ft 11 and my sis is about 5ft 5 this was not exactly what you call a fair match either! He started pushing her and she had all her bags. She tried to laugh it off but he kept doing it and she got really angry and told him that he wasn’t a real man picking on a girl that much smaller than him. I just told him to f**k off, there wasn’t much else I could do. Luckily he backed off a bit, enough for us to go on our way. But I hate to think where that could have gone.

We were camping with a few Reading virgins as well – up until that point they’d loved it but I really think the Sunday night has spoiled it for them. It was like a bloody war zone – I can’t imagine any of them going back. What a waste. I’ve heard that Leeds doesn’t have this?? If so, I’d definitely consider going there instead if the line-up was really good.

I can’t see how much more the organisers can do – there was a bloody pack of riot police for God’s sake roaming about.

I’m taking my tent to another festival – one where I don’t have to fear for my life from a load of middle class, spoilt, stupid 16 year olds who are clearly suffocated by mummy and daddy at home. Sad bastards.

[Duffbox]

that stuff is one of the main reasons i sold my ticket n didnt go, the line up for me was quite weak as well, but unfortunatley reading can't offer much more than the line up these days, unless its a gang of twat ruining a once cool weekend, they've lost my custom that's for sure, n from what i'm hearing i'm glad last year was my last n i didnt have to be subjected to that shit this time around

[Spiderden]

The local MP is getting on the case now.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2057060...festival_chiefs

[MM Punk]

yeah i think he hit the nail on the head calling you a moron tbh

[MM Punk]

This year was my 6th consecutive year at Reading and I fear my last. I had a brilliant time until the Sunday night - I got no sleep and ended up packing our stuff away and driving home - which is a pretty dangerous thing to do as it is. But there was no way I was hanging around there!!

There has always been 'rioting' on a Sunday night but it was generally always people burning their own sh*t. I never felt personally in danger but there was something seriously nasty about this year. We always camp in Yellow and it’s always a fairly noisey bit but I found that the campsites were quieter on the Friday and Saturday nights than the previous years… Almost like it was being stored up for mayhem on Sunday. Saturday night I went to bed at 4am bored off my face because there was nothing going on – usually there is shit going on all night. People were generally less friendly and I’m sick and tired of ‘back scratcher’ and ‘Green Army’ – FFS what a bunch of boring twat-ish sheep shouting the same rubbish over and over again. Eurgh.

The tent next to us got destroyed for no other reason than a bunch of nobs from purple were going to ‘get’ the yellow campsite. There were people in it when they collapsed it, luckily not in the bit near the path. I never camp by the path because people fall on tents there – but people were jumping on tents on purpose yelling for lighters so they could set them alight. This bunch of thugs grew in size and started arguing with one of the guys who was staying in the tent. He looked about 15 and was pretty small… they were spoiling for a fight and it was a totally unfair match!! A frickin group of thugs against a young bloke. They looked properly nasty, yelling some really vile crap and doing weird jumping up and down like getting ready to beat the shit out of him. They finally went away but came back later with a piece of fence which they threw back on the tent – after that the guys camping there just gathered their stuff up and left. Thus exposing our little campsite.

There was other smaller stuff that happened and other people started packing up their tents around us. We’ve had the same tent for 5 years and I hate that people just leave their shit and there was no way I was leaving mine. So we packed up (faster than I’ve ever packed my camping gear up before!) and somehow hauled all our stuff to the car in one go. The journey to the car park was horrible as well. People yelling abuse etc. One really tall, fat bloke started picking on my younger sister. Now, bearing in mind I’m 4ft 11 and my sis is about 5ft 5 this was not exactly what you call a fair match either! He started pushing her and she had all her bags. She tried to laugh it off but he kept doing it and she got really angry and told him that he wasn’t a real man picking on a girl that much smaller than him. I just told him to f**k off, there wasn’t much else I could do. Luckily he backed off a bit, enough for us to go on our way. But I hate to think where that could have gone.

We were camping with a few Reading virgins as well – up until that point they’d loved it but I really think the Sunday night has spoiled it for them. It was like a bloody war zone – I can’t imagine any of them going back. What a waste. I’ve heard that Leeds doesn’t have this?? If so, I’d definitely consider going there instead if the line-up was really good.

I can’t see how much more the organisers can do – there was a bloody pack of riot police for God’s sake roaming about.

I’m taking my tent to another festival – one where I don’t have to fear for my life from a load of middle class, spoilt, stupid 16 year olds who are clearly suffocated by mummy and daddy at home. Sad bastards.