130 replies to this topic

[Dipster]

elfskin, on Aug 11 2008, 06:49 PM, said:

My weekend at Endorse it ended at 4am this morning in an incident provoked by on-site Security

elfskins backPosted Today, 10:33 PM

Quote

Again just to clarify matters, I asked my friend the time after the incident was over and we had just left the tent.

It was 3-15 am which puts the time of the incident at approx 3-05 am.

I've seen enough...

A lot of people may be wary of returning in the future after reading some of the comments here. The organisers are getting stick over it including demands for a police enquiry and a company's reputation is under scrutiny. You are the original poster, important details in your story differ from the OP. Make your mind up!...

Anyone can be out by the odd 5 or 10mins but those times are little short of a whole hour that you claimed in the OP. That's the difference between dark and daylight at this time of year....

And, I wasn't implying you said security had pepper spray in the tent. It's been commented that they we're seen with it elsewhere over the week-end, the organisers have said police we're also on site over the week-end and I'm just highlighting the fact that mistaking 1 lot for the other is possible as they both look alike in uniform.

I'm not disputing what anyone saw, but on reading the comments, the vast majority including myself, all agree they saw security with cuffs and body vests, but then there's a divide on those saying they had the tasers and pepper sprays, so might those people possibly have been police officers?

I saw no police, but the organisers have informed us they we're on site over the week-end and with no official clarification either way, no-one can truly make any totally accurate observations on who exactly was where and carrying what through-out the duration of EIID 2008.

[elfskins back]

Chill Dipster, typo error, replace " in " with " after ".

Our evening ended at 4 am back at the van crashed out after the incident. I am sure the time recorded in the Security incident book will tie in exactly with the times given here.

Other witnesses agree that the time of the incident ie. 3-05 am is accurate.

I am just not going to respond any more to amateur detectives who were not there and have nothing of value to add.

I suggest you watch some Cracker DVD's instead.

Christ, I thought this thread had turned a corner. We had pleasantness and photies before you came along bringing us down.

It is without question an incident occurred, it is without question that Security had no authority to use those dogs, it is being investigated, relevant governing bodies are being contacted and complaints procedures being instigated.

It is clear that EIID has nothing to do with what happened on Sunday night and are doing all they can to resolve this situation.

There is a huge ground swell of feeling amongst Festival goers in light of this incident about the role and powers and methods  employed by Private Security firms. I have found out things about the industry during research on this case that chill me to the bone, loopholes that could let convicted criminals operate as Security operatives without training or CRB checks. This issue needs addressing, the Festival going public need to know that they and their children are safe at these events.

If I was you I would just let it lie until the investigation is over. ( less risk of looking stupid then )

Let the relevant bodies investigate this and let's get back to the fact that we all had a good time.

This will cheer you up !!!



The most important question.

I couldn't put it better myself.

Edited by elfskins back, 15 August 2008 - 12:46 AM.

[tartanterra]

elfskins back, on Aug 15 2008, 12:43 AM, said:

Chill Dipster, typo error, replace " in " with " after ".

Our evening ended at 4 am back at the van crashed out after the incident. I am sure the time recorded in the Security incident book will tie in exactly with the times given here.

Other witnesses agree that the time of the incident ie. 3-05 am is accurate.

I am just not going to respond any more to amateur detectives who were not there and have nothing of value to add.

I suggest you watch some Cracker DVD's instead.

Christ, I thought this thread had turned a corner. We had pleasantness and photies before you came along bringing us down.

It is without question an incident occurred, it is without question that Security had no authority to use those dogs, it is being investigated, relevant governing bodies are being contacted and complaints procedures being instigated.

It is clear that EIID has nothing to do with what happened on Sunday night and are doing all they can to resolve this situation.
good response
I didn't see anyone tasared or handcuffed.
About time there was some ADULT behavior in this thread.
Cheers EIID, me and my kids had a brilliant time, if people aren't happy then go to Glasto etc.


There is a huge ground swell of feeling amongst Festival goers in light of this incident about the role and powers and methods  employed by Private Security firms. I have found out things about the industry during research on this case that chill me to the bone, loopholes that could let convicted criminals operate as Security operatives without training or CRB checks. This issue needs addressing, the Festival going public need to know that they and their children are safe at these events.

If I was you I would just let it lie until the investigation is over. ( less risk of looking stupid then )

Let the relevant bodies investigate this and let's get back to the fact that we all had a good time.

This will cheer you up !!!



The most important question.

I couldn't put it better myself.

[elfskins back]

Could be the official EIID chant for next year.

Beats.......... " Bollox " or " I'm Spartacus ".

" WHO LET THE DOGS OUT !!! "

Edited by elfskins back, 15 August 2008 - 01:13 AM.

[eFestivals]

Interface, on Aug 13 2008, 01:15 PM, said:

OK perhaps you may provide some info? - are PRIVATE security firms allowed to use handcuffs? and Pepper spray?

and . .  it is very rare one sees a police officer walking around in a stab vest - on a day to day basis- I think subtle is the word here. I know many a security firm and they belive that they are a service and make all attempts to reduce tensions by 'the subtle approach' a smile here and there - not by abusive and obnoxious actions.

I appreciate your point 'go about their job'    but - - -  what you are impying is that Endorset employed this firm to be rude and obnoxious to festival goers- flounder is this the case.!!  Not being funny but at the G8 the security on one of the sites were most certainly not attired like ESP and they probably really had a case for extra padding.  

One might presume that ESP were a little nervous and inexperinced and this was why they felt the need to act insuch a way.      For the past two years security seemed to think Endoret very safe-

Are you saying Endorset is not safe any more?
I am sure the punters would like to know especially the ones with children.  

Sorry clarity is necessary here- and I am just providing my observations!

my comment was only about stab protection vests, nothing else.

And while you say it's rare to see a copper wearing one, that's complpetely wrong. It was certainly the case in Devon & Cornwall Constabulary around 5 years back that these vests were compulsory for all uniformed officers (or at least that's what a copper told me when I asked why he was wearing it).

All I was commenting on "about their job" was that that they're as entitled to go about their job safely, the same as anyone else. A builder wears steel-toecapped boots for protection, and a security guy wearing a protection vest is no different; after all, they're the people whose job it is to face up to someone with a knife if there's someone with a knife - I'd certainly rather do that wearing a vest, and I'm sure you would too.

My own experience with security at EIID this year was only good, and that was the experience of many others too, as posts on these forums show. While you might have had a bad experience, that was no everyone's, or even typical I would think (if it was typical, I'm sure there'd be many more posts about it - complainants shout loudly, those who have no issue tend to be silent).

[Dipster]

elfskins back, on Aug 15 2008, 12:43 AM, said:

I am just not going to respond any more to amateur detectives who were not there and have nothing of value to add.

I wasn't there, but a good few of us that wasn't, had plenty of value to add. It didn't need to be witnessed. It needed to be open minded, unassuming and without resorting to personal attacks. Nor, fanning the flames even higher by changing facts from 1 day to another. A good few of us managed that, others did not.

However, I took your good advice this morning and let things lie until an investigation was over.


A Statement made by Flounder today Can be found on the 'Official LGO Response' topic.

elfskins back, on Aug 13 2008, 01:08 PM, said:

The Tazer was seen on a member of Security who was with the two dog handlers during a tent search on Sunday morning.

Another typo?..... Replace 'was' with 'was never'?

Flounder, on Aug 15 2008, 02:17 PM, said:

Direct from LGO Towers.....
2. Police were called to the EIID site on Sunday morning in response to an allegation, which turned out to be unfounded. These Police Officers carry crime fighting equipment, including pepper spray, stab vests for protection and Tazer guns. No arrests were made.

So, no looking silly for any of those who actually bothered to concider another theory and refrained from jumping to conclusions until the answers we're available.

Miss Marples doesn't watch cracker, she is too frightfully English to decifer a Scot's accent.

Edited by Dipster, 15 August 2008 - 05:24 PM.

[mycomania2]

I know everyones probably sick of all this but I found security to be surly, agressive and rude all weekend.

Not what you would expect from such a small, cool festi.

[Peachy]

barbienightmare, on Aug 13 2008, 08:48 PM, said:

look you want to be sarcastic at my comments then great, but is itso hard for some people on here not to take every thing they read so literally, I was purley making the point I can fully understand why security or the forces use dogs for there own saftey

Purley is a place, not an adjective. I did presume, obviously quite wrongly when I posted, that you were not American. I will, if you want, send you my touchy, feely guide to ironing sic.

[Flounder]

I'm locking this thread as a serious topic is in danger of turning into a point scoring session - please take that to pm.
The official reply has been posted - please see there for information.
Any problems then do feel free to pm me.

[bongoman9]

Just a note to say thanks for another good festival in spite of the rain. I went to the Beachdown Festival and this taught me I’ve been taking EIID for granted. On one side it’s a really is a nice place. So thanks.

On the other side can I say something about your security. Generally they were friendly but it all went very sour on Sunday night. I was in the bar tent next to the main stage and things were nice and quiet and friendly. I was chatting to someone I didn’t know and the bar had just shut. No one was asking us to leave and people were happy to chat and finish their drinks.

Suddenly though security brought dogs in and somehow made them bark viciously at us all. I saw a young lady walk over and it appeared she wanted to pat the dog as she thought it was upset. What I saw then made me sick. The security guard grabbed her by the throat and punched her to the floor. She had done absolutely nothing wrong. Of course a large crowd went to her defence. You are lucky to have such nice people at this festival as I thought for a moment that the security man was going to get mobbed.

From this moment on the security were horrible. There was no trouble and yet they were treating us like anyone’s worst enemy. I quietly left the tent and walked to the wigon casino to see if anything fun was happening there. The music was just finishing and again people were happily chatting. Then the same sort of thing. Mad security guards with barking dogs and threatening behaviour.

I’m sorry to say that this has left such a bad taste I don’t think I’ll be coming back next year. EIID has always been a safe and friendly place. So relaxed men can dress up as women! The problem is now you have destroyed this. Normally the same people come back every year and I expect 2009 will be the same. Problem is that everyone is going to be a bit worried about security. This will make a negative atmosphere and hostility against your security and sadly when this happens it seems to spread and trouble starts. It’s your security who have created this and not the punters.

I’ve never had dogs set on me before and I was quite shaken after all this. I don’t intend to have dogs set on me again and the best way to avoid this is to avoid EIID. It’s such a shame as I’ve been for the past three years and now it’s sadly over.

[Flounder]

Both threads have been merged -

as stated in another thread

Direct from LGO Towers.....


EIID 08 was a fantastic event with a friendly vibe. We are often told that as a festival we have the friendliest punters, the friendliest staff and the most relaxed atmosphere of any small festival. Lost property is often handed in, many people who lost phones and wallets with money in this year have been reunited with their possessions, people look out for one another, children feel safe, parents feel safe, punters feel safe and the organisers feel safe.


The LGO team take any allegations made very seriously and would like to respond to some of the allegations and assumptions that have been made on this message board.

EIID is a family friendly event with a capacity of 5000
The organisers had no reports of drug dealing at EIID 08.
The organisers had half a dozen reports of tent theft at EIID 08 which is extremely low.
Police were called to the EIID site on two occassions this year.
1. Police were called to the EIID site and made one arrest on Saturday
2. Police were called to the EIID site on Sunday morning in response to an allegation, which turned out to be unfounded. These Police Officers carry crime fighting equipment, including pepper spray, stab vests for protection and Tazer guns. No arrests were made.

EIID utilised the security firm ESP security for both 2007 and 2008.
ESP security were given the authority to use dogs to patrol the woods at night. This was agreed after discussion with the organisers to address problems raised in 2007.

ESP security use stab vests for their own protection. Unfortunately this is becoming the norm for security whether working in a pub, club or festival.
Only security officers who are qualified to use handcuffs, may use handcuffs as a form of restraint.
A number of ESP security officers with the relevant qualifications carried handcuffs at EIID 08.
It is the norm for qualified security at festivals to carry handcuffs – visible or not.
Security were authorised to clear the main bar at 3.00am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in order to keep to license agreements stated by the council. Dogs were not authorized for use in this.

Nobody was bitten by an ESP dog at EIID 08



Regarding the incident in the bar – its has been very difficult to gain a clear picture of exactly what has happened due to the conflicting nature of the reports from all angles. We have however gained an overall idea of what occurred and the important end result of this is that dogs will not be used on the festival site again. LGO would like to thank everyone, no matter what their opinion, who has contributed information on this.

LGO cannot comment on or be responsible/accountable for the actions of individual security officers or complainants.
Any complaints received will be investigated internally between LGO, ESP security and the complainants

We hope that this answers some of the concerns raised on this thread and thank those who have given clear information, from whatever angle, upon allegations made.
If you have any complaints, queries or require further resolution please contact the organisers directly on info@lgofestivals.com

We've had an overwhelming positive response from people there ( bands, workers, punters etc) even those who were involved in Sundays site clearance, saying what a great time they had over the weekend. We appreciate all feedback given, once again thank everyone for coming along and here's to one of the best weekends that you can have in a field in Dorset.