Last Minute warning about Tent thefts !

[rainbow girl]

without wanting to create the impression that they're all dishonest, we were aghast at the number of times we ordered a round of drinks from the bars, worked out how much it would cost but were then told by the bar staff a much higher figure - may be a series of honest mistakes, or may be a scam, as most people weren't in a position to notice the overcharges.

[mandypants]

without wanting to create the impression that they're all dishonest, we were aghast at the number of times we ordered a round of drinks from the bars, worked out how much it would cost but were then told by the bar staff a much higher figure - may be a series of honest mistakes, or may be a scam, as most people weren't in a position to notice the overcharges.

[efcfanwirral]

hmmm not liking this robbing people as they sleep thing. my girlfriend is on warfarin (cant drink or anything else!) which makes her massively tired, so will be conked out in the tent with eye mask and earplugs from 1am at the latest every night. probably worrying about nothing but she does sound like a bit of a sitting target? I was planning on being out and about throughout the night but it does make me think maybe not!

[llcoolphil]

We camped near the park last year and a few neighbours got robbed, please be careful and sleep with all your valuables on you, don't let the robbing mother f****ers ruin your festival, have a good one folks!

[siblin]

I always use a money belt for my cash.....

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7250176/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports+and+leisure%7C14419152/c_2/3%7Ccat_15701421%7CLuggage%7C14419371.htm?_$ja=tsid:11527%7Ccc:%7Cprd:7250176%7Ccat:sports+%26+leisure+%3E+luggage+%3E+travel+accessories

(also avaialble from alternative high street stockists!)

[GreenFestivalMan]

Packet of old fashioned razor blades. Leave them strategically placed around and you'll get the bast*ards. Ok so it's not really in with the whole peace and love atmosphere. But it might make you feel better

Perhaps a bit extreme.

[llcoolphil]

I had money stolen from me at Bearded Theory, I'd let my guard slip a little, normally I'm much more careful Fortunately I had separated my cash and they only got £20 that was in my purse and not the rest which I had stashed elsewhere. So that's my tip for the day, separate your cash so if they do come in your tent, they only find a small amount then leave you alone with the rest of it

[bluepork]

If you get burgled at home you can use "reasonable force" to protect your home. Does the same apply at Glasto? I pity the fool that tries to rob me while I'm in the tent!

[llcoolphil]

If you get burgled at home you can use "reasonable force" to protect your home. Does the same apply at Glasto? I pity the fool that tries to rob me while I'm in the tent!

[Alewhey]

Two years ago my mate got all of his money stolen on the first night. The tactics of the theives was: one of them would go into the target tent late at night when the people inside were asleep (and probably f*cked). If someone in the tent woke up and said something like "WHAT THE F*CK!" then the second theif standing outside would yell "I told you this wasn't our tent!", the first would mumble an apology, then they would move perhaps 20m away and repeat. It's effective 'cos no one can be bothered to investigate them.

We pieced this together from comments from people who were camping near us. My advice is, if this happens make sure you jump up and watch them carefully and make sure they are a LONG way away before you go back to sleep.

As others have mentioned, they only take money - this is so that even if they are caught with £2000 on them, there is nothing to tie them to anyone or any crime. Keep your wallet right at the bottom of your sleeping bag or in a lock up!

ETA: This happened on the Weds night, when people have most money. Be super-vigilent on Weds night!

Edited June 22, 2010 by Alewhey

[bluepork]

Yeah cos tent thieves haven't got a strategy for dealing with people who are awake. And if you're asleep, you wont even notice. So if you're planning on reasonable force as the best way of securing your property, you might want to think again

[mandypants]

hmmm not liking this robbing people as they sleep thing. my girlfriend is on warfarin (cant drink or anything else!) which makes her massively tired, so will be conked out in the tent with eye mask and earplugs from 1am at the latest every night. probably worrying about nothing but she does sound like a bit of a sitting target? I was planning on being out and about throughout the night but it does make me think maybe not!

[llcoolphil]

I meant on a purely theoretical basis. How would the security react if you were to give a swift kick in the face to someone backing out of your tent holding your wallet?

Edited June 22, 2010 by llcoolphil

[jimbo68]

Some good advice, it's just a shame they don't have the same company offering lockers that are at Download! Ok there £15 for the week but you get a socket to charge your phone from, invaluable to anyone with an iPhone (car charger socket) you can only get into the area if you have a locker & every locker is monitored by CCTV. You even get to keep the souvenir combination lock at the end of the week!

[Craig_G]

If you find someone in your tent MAKE AS MUCH NOISE AS YOU CAN. Make sure your neighbours and any nearby stewards hear you and that they know a scumbag thief is around.

[formed a band]

lock up for stuff

anything else upon your person as you sleep

[APC]

I'm liking the empty beer cans in the porch.

And the thought of getting my martial arts fix for the week.

[Deepsky]

Well, they can raid my tent at night if they like. If they want to risk having a big fat naked man jumping on top of them.

[staggerlee]

Good thread this. Never happened to me but always well aware that it could. I am a very light sleeper though so I would be surprised if someone could get into my tent while I'm in it.

[glastovfestival]

Anyone know of a campsite with the least amount of tent crime? Or is it rife everywhere?

Edited June 22, 2010 by glastovfestival

[saratink]

NO NO NO!!!

DO NOT PUT YOUR VALUABLES IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SLEEPING BAG!!!!!!

put it as close to your body as possible. If its at the bottom of your sleeping bag, its easy for the theives to just slash a hole in it to get it out without you noticing!! The best place for it is the lock ups, or down by your fanny or cock.

[fdc]

and bring a gun just to be on the safe side

[llcoolphil]

NO NO NO!!!

DO NOT PUT YOUR VALUABLES IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SLEEPING BAG!!!!!!

put it as close to your body as possible. If its at the bottom of your sleeping bag, its easy for the theives to just slash a hole in it to get it out without you noticing!! The best place for it is the lock ups, or down by your fanny or cock.

[Jackmypie]

"Forty-one thefts from tents have also been reported to police, while 160 arrests have been made, the "vast majority" of which are said to be drug-related."

forty one out of 180,000 people ain't too bad. I'd say. Just hope I'm not next on the list

[saratink]

NO No NO NO NO NO.

The ONLY place for it is the lock ups