council report praises Reading Festival 2012

Last Thursday Reading Borough Council's External Overview and Scrutiny Commission met to scrutinise the police and organiser's reports into this summer's Reading Festival which revealed improvements in crime and disorder, public safety, security, toilet provision, sanitary conditions, and food safety.

	Reading 2012

Reading Police's area commander Superintendent Stuart Greenfield report to the meeting that thanks to a series of measures brought in after 2010's festival had reduced almost all kinds kind of crime, with robberies of personal property reduced to zero, and general (tent) thefts dropped by 56% to an all-time low of 61 reported cases this year, and drug offences almost halved.

Greenfield's report revealed how some of Reading's major criminals would in the past target festivalgoers outside the grounds when they came into town and that the police were now warning them off, by deploying a covert cycle team around the perimeter of the site. He explained, "The bicycle is a much-underused tool of the police. They can be used by officers on footpaths to quietly creep up on people. When they see something, they can call in the uniformed officers – very simple, very effective."

The report also praised the visible presence of security staff, praising their support and professional service, and said a more robust evictions policy saw greater number of potential troublemakers removed from the site at an early stage.

Sunday's implemented measures of fire restrictions, sealed toilet blocks, alcohol restrictions, and re-entry policy also prevented the potential for the disorder seen in 2009 and 2010.

Despite the number of under-18s attending the festival increasing this year the number of underage drinki8ng offences also fell. Tests on whether bars would refuse to sell alcohol to minors, and the use of over 18 wristbands issued at the gates, conclusively proved traders were not selling to under-age drinkers. Seven bars in the town were tested and one failed. Two temporary traders also failed, but when they were tested again the next day they passed.

A comprehensive event management plan with risk assessments, along with proactive management of public safety was also praised, and at the meeting Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn explained how organisers constantly reviewed safety on the site, bringing in an independent crowd safety consultant and making aerial films to examine crowd flow. 2012 saw the event's capacity increase by 3,000 people to take it to the full 89,999 agreed in 2009. The dispersal of crowds in the North West corner of the arena into the 'Guest Area' was mentioned, with a plan to revise this in the new site plan layout for next year, with the issue of crowd safety, density, crushes and surges remaining a matter for scrutiny by officers in 2013 with the site changes implemented.

Festival Republic reported that improvements made to the arena which included an improved second barrier design for the main stage, and the widths of routes around the locality of the Radio 1 stage, extra lighting and higher visibility of patrol staff; were notable in their success.

The number of formally reportable injuries on site has fallen in each of the last six years, from 50 in 2007. and despwite 17 incidents where festival goers were taken off site to hospital these were not formerly reportable, with only 146 people were treated in the first aid area for drug or alcohol-related illness.

The report also stated the quality of of food hygiene at the 137 food premises inside the festival site was of a high standard, and the proivision of toilet facilities more than adequate. Water pressure caused problems with some of the toilets this year and Melvin Benn revealed organisers would be installing a new water supply system based on a new, larger ring main.

The Council members summed up the report as welcoming news, and said the highly successful event enhanced the reputation of Reading itself.

The report can be downloaded as a PDF from the Reading Council website, here.

Rapper Eminem is the headliner confirmed for next year and will be joined by Alt-J, Deftones, Sub Focus, and Boy Better Know. There are no other acts confirmed yet for 2013, expect a line-up that will still include big names from the rock, alternative, indie, punk and metal scenes.

Next year's twin Reading and Leeds festivals take place on the bank holiday weekend, from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August. Reading Festival takes place at Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds Festival takes place at Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Next year there will be two more stages a BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage and a BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage with the arena changing at both Reading and Leeds quite significantly. With even more stages on offer, the line-up in 2013 is expected to increase by at least 25% in comparison to previous years, giving festival goers even more music for their money.

In addition to the bigger line-up, both Reading & Leeds will see changes to the existing festival layout. At Reading the arena will be expanded by approximately a quarter and a second arena entrance will be created to ensure easier access for festival goers.

Tickets are on sale at 2012 prices, that is £197.50 for a weekend ticket, for a limited time – until Monday 31st December 2012. Early entry tickets enabling festival goers to get into the site on the Wednesday are priced at £15, car park passes £5, with campervan passes priced at £60, and lockers £15. Day tickets will be sold in the new year.

Tickets can also be secured with a £50 deposit with the full balance paid by Sunday 31st March 2013.

Tickets are limited to a maximum of two per person and per credit card for those booking online. U16s (15 & under) must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children's area at this event, and eFestivals considers this an event not really suitable for small children.

All other ticket types will be available in the general sale in spring next year.

To buy tickets, click here.

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