Stay secure at a festival this summer

Stay secure at a festival this summer with our guide to festival security.

Did you know that one in seven festival goers have been a victim of theft at a festival?

As figures suggest, the risk of crime at a festival is relatively high and can be considerably costly for those who attend, with it being reported that an estimated £190,000 worth of possessions were stolen at seven of the UK’s biggest festivals.

1. Take only the essentials

Try to take only the essentials to a festival. The fewer valuables you take the least likely are you to be a victim of theft.

2. Register any valuables

If you do decide to take any valuables with you such as a smart phone or tablet make sure you register them so if the worse did happen it will help to make recovery easier. You can register any valuables for free by visiting www.immobilise.com

3. Don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle

By leaving any valuables in your car you could be leaving yourself vulnerable to being a victim of theft as your car will be unattended for long periods of time whilst you enjoy the festival.

4. Remove any suction marks from your windscreen

If you have used a sat nav to find the festival’s venue make sure you remove any suction marks from your windscreen as failure to do so could alert a thief that there may be valuables such as a sat nav stored inside your vehicle.

5. Don’t bring large amounts of money, expensive jewellery, watches or costume jewellery that appears to be of value.

6. Use a site locker to store anything of value

If you do decide to bring any valuables to a festival don’t leave them in your tent or car instead use the site lockers to store them. These can usually be booked in advance and are open 24 hours a day.

7. Mark any valuables

Any valuables you do take to a festival should be marked with your details using a UV pen.

8. Extend your home insurance to include personal belongings

Home insurance provider Aviva advise extending your home and contents insurance to include personal belongings cover otherwise you may end up facing a bill of replacing lost or stolen items.

The Festival Goer's Guide to Security

Over the years festivals have increased in popularity, when Glastonbury first opened in 1970 just 1,500 people attended and in more recent years there are around 150,000 people attending Glastonbury each year (KGBAnswers). According to the Female First festival goers will spend more than £1,600 a year attending summer music events. On average festival goers will spend an average of £450.18 on tickets and an estimated £203.97 whilst at the music festival on food and drink.  

 

With the popularity of festivals increasing over the years this has also seen an increase in the risk of crimes such as theft...  

According to the Telegraph one in seven festival goers have been a victim of theft, summer 2010 saw an estimated £190,000 worth of possessions stolen from UK festival goers with a reported 945 reported incidents at seven of the UK’s biggest festivals. The average unattended tent will contain valuables such mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, designer clothing and shoes which total an average of £928.    

Here are some tips and advice about keeping your valuables safe and secure at a festival... 

 

• Try to take only the essentials with you! The fewer valuables you bring the less likely you are to be a victim of theft.

• If you do decide to bring any expensive items register them for free, then if it is stolen and recovered it can be returned. Visit www.immobilise.com to register your property.

• Do not leave any valuables in your car.

• If you have used a sat nav remove any suction marks on the windscreen.

• Don’t bring large amounts of money/expensive jewellery, watches, neck chains etc. or any costume jewellery that appears to be of value.

• If you do bring valuables don’t leave them in your tent or car – put them in the on-site lockers. These can usually be booked in advance and are open 24 hours a day.

• Mark any valuables with your details. You can do this with a UV pen.

• Insurance provider Aviva advise extending your home and contents insurance to include personal belongings cover otherwise you may end up facing a bill of replacing lost or stolen items.

For more comprehensive security tips visit our dedicated security tips page.