Fun lovin’ criminals reign at Glastonbury

THE line-up may include Radiohead, REM, David Gray, Manic Street Preachers and The Sugababes, but there are fun lovin’ criminals among the estimated 150,000 crowd.

However, the level of crime at the Glastonbury Festival is lower so far than at last year’s event, police said yesterday.

A spokesman for the Avon and Somerset force, who are policing the event, said by 8am yesterday there had been 57 reported crimes compared to 71 crimes at this time last year, a reduction of 20%.

Robberies in and around the Pilton site are down by 50%, with 13 cases this year. Vehicle crime is down 94% with just one reported case so far.

The spokesman said there had been a rise in the detection of drug offences through intelligence-led, pro-active policing.

The total number of arrests now stands at 63, compared to 40 at this stage last year.

Police have mounted the largest ever security operation at the festival, with around 750 uniformed police and support staff on site, as well as extra CCTV.

A help-point has also been set up in the village to give locals a point of contact for any complaints or worries.

Chief Superintendent Mark Thompson said: “We have looked at the crime patterns from last year’s festival and have learned from them. Policing has been intelligence-led and targeted at those criminals who are on their way to Glastonbury.

“We have been using Automatic Number Plate Recognition machines to identify criminals, along with increased police patrols on site and around Pilton village.”

Theft from tents remains one of the major problems on the festival site and police are reminding all festival-goers to secure their tents properly during the weekend.

Police are warning visitors to the festival to take care when approaching or leaving the site on foot.

Last year, a festival-goer died when he was struck by a vehicle as he walked on dark unlit roads around the site.