As festival season is among us, it is important for you to know your rights as an attendee.
Some festivals have recently come under fire for disorganisation and lack of security, leading to people to question just what your rights are, security guards do not have the same powers as police officers. Here’s what your rights are with security at a festival:
If you are prosecuted for a drugs offence, you will get a criminal record
You can get a fine or prison sentence if you carry, take, make or sell drugs. Selling drugs also includes sharing, which according to the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, counts as intent to supply. As a result, if you are caught with drugs at a festival, the consequences are severe. If you buy drugs on behalf of your friends, you will technically be classed as a supplier or a drug dealer, for which a prison sentence is possible.
Can security search me?
Security guards at festivals can search you, however you must consent to this. Many festivals require you to give consent to being searched as a condition of entry. If you refuse to consent to a search they reserve the right to not let you into the festival. Security guards do not have the power to perform a strip search.
Police officers are legally able to stop and search you. They are only able to do so if there is “reasonable grounds” to do so, but if they remove more than your jacket and gloves, they must be the same sex as you.
Can I be refused entry?
If you refuse to present an ID to determine that your age is in line with the regulations of the festival, you do not comply with festival rules or you do not consent to being searched, you can be refused entry to the event or asked to leave.
Can security guards physically detain me?
Security guards are able to use a “reasonable degree of force” to detain or eject you from a venue. They are not able to discriminate or use excessive force against you for reason such as your race, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.
Can security guards arrest me?
A security guard at a festival can citizens arrest you, and hold you until the police come. However, your nan can also citizens arrest you , so this is not a big deal.
Related titles recommended by this author:
• What are your rights if the police ever stop you for a random drug swab?
• Take The Tab’s drugs survey 2021
• Sadiq Khan reportedly plans to decriminalise drugs for under 25s in London
FAQs
Whilst guards are searching through your bags, they may do other security checks such as asking people to empty their pockets, conducting pat-down searches, and asking people to walk through metal detectors.
Do they search you at music festivals? ›
Security guards do have the power to confiscate any illegal items where the local police will be involved. Ticket holders can refuse a search but they will no doubt be denied entry, if they refuse to leave they may be considered to be trespassing.
What does security do at a festival? ›
Security is an essential measure as it safeguards your event from potential risks, ensuring attendees are safe and preventing incidents that could harm someone, disrupt the festival, or expose your business to legal consequences.
How much security is needed for a festival? ›
The number of security officers required for crowd control is determined by the size of the venue and the number of people expected to attend. In order to meet your needs, a basic rule of thumb is to have one guard for every 25-50 attendees at your party or event.
Are there undercover cops at Coachella? ›
Unfortunately, because some of the attendees drink or use drugs at Coachella, it has also become a popular place for undercover police officers to make arrests. If you or your child was arrested at Coachella, you must respond to the charges that you are facing and treat them with the seriousness they deserve.
Do they use metal detectors at festivals? ›
well security personnel don't pat down at most music festivals they just use a portable metal detector with that being said they usually don't pass the metal detector thru ur shoes u can easily put any cartridge on the side or bottom of ur sole if u can still walk properly ur golden also usually when they do pat down ...
Do you need ID to go to a festival? ›
At the gate: Anyone aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18, therefore, you will only need to show I.D/identification at the gate if you are accompanying a minor/s (someone who is aged 15 or under) and you yourself look Under 25.
Are security guards allowed to touch shoplifters? ›
The Shopkeeper Privilege (or Merchant Statutes) also allows a security guard to use reasonable force to detain or place the suspected shoplifter under citizen's arrest or in defense of themselves or others. Some states also dictate the amount of force a retail security guard can use.
What triggers TSA pat-down? ›
Pat-Down Screening
You may be required to undergo a pat-down procedure if the screening technology alarms, as part of unpredictable security measures, for enhanced screening, or as an alternative to other types of screening, such as advanced imaging technology screening.
What do security guards do at concerts? ›
Security guards are stationed at entry points to ensure that only authorized individuals enter the event premises. They check tickets, verify IDs, and conduct necessary security checks to prevent unauthorized access. Maintaining order within the crowd is vital.
Keep items in front pockets rather than back, and depending on the size, you could store small items or money in a pouch inside your shoes while wearing them. When carrying money and cards, try to spread them around your pockets, to minimize the risk of being left with nothing if you do get pickpocketed.
