Security taking money to let people in

[APC]

I've often wondered how you'd get on if you stripped off, greased yourself up and just ran at the gates as fast as you could.

I kept thinking about it this year whilst queuing to get through gate c. If you can strip off as late as possible to the wrist band checks I'd think you'll have a good chance. Most of the security we're hanging about grabbing people for searches rather than looking for greased up naked people running like hell at the wide isle.

[ButterflyBallFairy]

I think security should be checked and banned from holding a certain amount if cash on themselves, no mire then £200 tops a day, anymore amount found on them will be donated to charity. Thieves.

[philipsteak]

I have no idea if it does happen but if they do 'Mystery Shopper' type things at the main entrances see if people get through with fakes or wrong picture anyway, then would make sense for them to do this as well.

[CCCheese]

I wonder if Mendip Council's mystery shoppers strip off, grease up and run at the gates to test them......

[Mud Dweller]

For such a large scale operation news of the above doesnt surprise me, there are always a few bad eggs.

I stayed outside the festival this year so had to enter gate D everyday, security on that was very tight. Ticket / wristband checked 3 times each time I entered. Even got questioned by one chap who thought the picture on my ticket didnt look like me - luckily I had my driving license on me to clear that up!

Edited July 7, 2013 by Mud Dweller

[scaryclaireyfairy]

no ticket check before the actual pedestrian entrance here either (east car parks, wed morning).

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I wonder if Mendip Council's mystery shoppers strip off, grease up and run at the gates to test them......

[Spindles]

chipped wrist bands next year

[frostypaw]

Rfid chips etc would only identify whose wristband it's meant to be, wouldn't identify non ticket holders at a distance. The distance it operates over is tiny so pretty useless in this context it's being oversold

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I could see this, tbh. It is a possible solution to a number of problems and we all know that ME has looked at the tech in action on a number of occasions.

I would be interested to hear estimated numbers of gatecrashers this year. I've been quietly aware of a slowly rising number over the last couple of festivals but this year seems to have been a bit of a watershed and the first noticeable example since 2000.

I have to confess, having been a fencejumper in years gone by I have idly considered paying for a ticket but still trying to get in the old way just for the challenge.

[fatyeti24]

is it really a free for all, or a problem? a few unsubstantiated efestivals anecdotes does not a fact make. not like it was on news at 10 or something.

[frostypaw]

It's a problem. Reports from various people confirm proper crushes at pinch points some of which went on for over an hour and there seems to have been a blip in organised tent robbery. I think we'll see something said or done

Edited July 7, 2013 by frostypaw

[fatyeti24]

It's a problem. Reports from various people confirm proper crushes at pinch points some of which went on for over an hour and there seems to have been a blip in organised tent robbery. I think we'll see something said or done

Edited July 7, 2013 by fatyeti24

[frostypaw]

They don't need to all be at the same place, they run at very near capacity so it doesn't take much to tip it now and then across the site.

I still think the population was right before the last increase in 09 I think it was. Since then the Babylon area has become just constantly manic and the smaller venues and fields regularly attract over capacity crowds - that used to be a real rarity and the added queuing really detracts. Never used to queue

[musky]

It's a problem. Reports from various people confirm proper crushes at pinch points some of which went on for over an hour and there seems to have been a blip in organised tent robbery. I think we'll see something said or done

[Phil-itfc]

I know someone who paid £300 to a security firm to get in, he said the firm made £10k by doing this!

I think its time to change their security firms

[Justiceforcedave]

Stop being a bunch of sour pusses. Who cares if some extra people were a bit thrifty and went the extra mile to get in.

Based on how much of an awesome time you all had, isn't it understandable that some folks might go to those lengths?

I very much doubt it directly effected your enjoyment of the festival in a negative way. Jeez

[Justiceforcedave]

I thought the robbery statistics were considerably down on 2011?

For the moment I'm filing this along side the stories that several people fell into the long drops this year.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Who cares if some extra people were a bit thrifty and went the extra mile to get in.

Based on how much of an awesome time you all had, isn't it understandable that some folks might go to those lengths?

I very much doubt it directly effected your enjoyment of the festival in a negative way. Jeez

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

. Sorry if everyone's feeling a little less special because some none ticket holders got in.

[Justiceforcedave]

Were the tents all robbed by people without tickets then?

Council, maybe but as there seems to be no hard evidence and only heresay then there's nothing they can get there knickers in a twist about is there?

[giantkatestacks]

This ^ no more busy then usual save for maybe when the Stones were on and in some of the night time areas so no surprises there. Sorry if everyone's feeling a little less special because some none ticket holders got in.

[mrtourette]

Another one of those arguments the centres around whether you want the free-spirited 'true' Glastonbury ethos/experience or whether you want things to be fair and abiding by the terms of the license.

Edited July 8, 2013 by mrtourette

[Rumblestripe]

If the stories of Security bussing people in for a couple of hundred quid are true,it is very much of concern to us attendees.

It's nothing to do with "Glasto Spirit" as they are not getting in free. I suppose in the spirit of Robin Hood and other slightly dodgy geezers and chancers that litter the English tradition we can admire and enjoy those who pole vault, tunnel, hang glide or sky dive their way into the festival. Spilling three hundred knicker into the hands of a dodgy security guard endangers the festival going forward as it risks the future of the festival. Even if it is only that the council limits the number of legitimate tickets sold to take account of a percentage "leakage" through the security.

Of course it's probably just so much bollocks and/or bullshit.

[UEF]

For the first time we didn't have our tickets checked on entering East carpark either.