Safety

Wellbeing and safeguarding resources

Look here for full information about resources that will be available to keep you safe and well at Reading 2026

Medical and health assistance

In an emergency: Call 999 and alert a steward or a security person wearing a tabard who will know the way to the nearest medical facility and will be able to contact Medical by radio. Depending on the problem, you may be advised to go to a medical point, or a medical response may be sent to you. This could be an ambulance, paramedic or first responder. Our medical centres are located:

Main Medical Centre and Pharmacy (24 hours), Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
Arena Medical Centre and Pharmacy (11am – midnight), to the left of Main Stage
Staff at the medical centre are fully qualified medics who are experienced in working at festivals. The centre is equipped to deal with everything from cuts and bruises to major trauma and cardiac arrest.
Whenever it can be done safely, people are treated on site and very few have to be sent to hospital. As well as doctors and nurses, the medical team includes physiotherapists, podiatrists, a mental health team and an X ray unit.

Arena patrols (during Arena opening hours)

Teams of first responders patrol the arena, providing first aid, advice and basic life support.

Weapons e.g. knives

Do not bring a weapon as you will pose a risk to yourself and others.

Do not bring anything that could reasonably be considered for use as a weapon including oversized lighters or any item which may cause danger, offence or disruption to any other person. Please refer to our prohibited items list here under the “what you can and can’t bring section”

Alcohol

We operate a challenge 25 policy at the festival. Although legal, alcohol still has harmful impacts on your body. Remember:

Pace yourself.
Try to avoid getting too intoxicated in unfamiliar situations. You can lose control, make risky decisions and become less aware of danger.
Alcohol and other drugs can impair your judgement. Don’t feel pressured into doing anything you aren’t comfortable with.
If you are having a bad time or struggling but don’t feel you need medical attention, visit the Welfare Team.
If you need medical attention, visit the Medical Tent or ask the nearest member of staff to help you.
If someone becomes unconscious or unresponsive, put them in the recovery position (on their side) and seek immediate medical attention by alerting the nearest member of security.
Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.
If you are drinking from early in the day, try to stick to drinks with a lower ABV, for example, lager rather than spirits.
Alcohol is the most common substance used to spike drinks. Never leave drinks unattended and don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know.
Mixing alcohol with drugs has been a common factor in some recent drug-related deaths connected with festivals.

Children at Leeds Festival

Whilst we do allow under 13s to attend for free, we do suggest that this event is not suitable for young children. If you do want to bring children along, we advise camping in the White Campsite which is expected to be our quietest campsite.

On entering the event, children will be given Tyvek wristbands which have space for you to write your telephone number (as a parent or guardian). We can use this as a primary contact to reunite you. Replacements can be picked up at the Welfare Tent.

If you do bring young children, please ensure that on entry you get a child’s wristband to write your contact number on so that if you are separated you can be quickly reunited.

Set an obvious meeting point in the instance you get separated.

Struggling with Drink and Want to Festival Sober?

There is a solution.

Alcoholics Anonymous will have a presence at Leeds Festival from 11am to 9pm each day to support your needs. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been drinking, or how much you drink. Alcoholism is an illness.

We live it too. Which is why we can help. Or perhaps you are simply sober curious? Our purpose is to stay sober ourselves and help others who turn to us to get sober too. AA meetings are where you will feel supported, where you can feel you belong.

Each day, we will have meetings that last for one hour at 12 noon and 6pm where we will share our experience, strength, and hope. Teas and coffees will also be available throughout.

We welcome you, whatever your gender, sexual orientation, income, religion, or race. Anyone with a desire to stop drinking, one day at a time, is welcome.

It is free to attend AA. You can just come and listen. Or you can talk and share. It’s up to you.

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What to do in an emergency

If a serious or life-threatening crime is being committed, please contact a member of staff in a bright tabard immediately. If in the unlikely event you cannot find someone, please call 999, and/or shout for help to get attention.

There are over a thousand security, stewards and campsite staff on duty, all of which wear our festival tabards. Locate a member of staff for any emergencies, who will be able to assist or locate the correct assistance.

For further information check out our ‘what to do if’ info page.

Care and Safety at Leeds

Decide on a meeting point with your friends. Choose a time and place to meet up later in case you get separated from each other.
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Learn the layout of the site – particularly your camping area so you can easily find toilets and stewards.
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Pick out memorable points near your campsite to help remember where your camping spot is located. Are there landmarks nearby that can help you find it?
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Get to know the people who are camped around you. It makes for a nicer environment and it means you’ll be familiar with who should be coming and going in your area.
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Keep your phone charged in case you’re separated from your friends.
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Stay hydrated. There are tested drinking water points throughout the arena and campsites which are free to use.
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For a full list of what you can and can’t bring into the campsite, please visit Information: The Essentials.
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Keep your wits about you. Drink responsibly and know your limit.
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Carry a torch with you or enable the torch on your phone to use for when it gets dark.
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Festival stewards are here to help you. Don’t be worried about asking for help in any situation, whether it’s asking for directions or to report something or someone you’re worried about.
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Don’t leave valuables like your phone, purse or car keys in your tent or unattended vehicles. Lockers are available to rent to store your belongings via our Tickets page.
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The Wellbeing Tent is open 24 hours and is staffed by experienced and supportive people. They can provide confidential advice about drugs, alcohol, legal highs and sexual health, and offer support if you need to talk. They offer a monitored rest and recovery area if you’ve overdone it. Please go to the Wellbeing Tent if you experience any problems or need to talk to someone for any reason
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Please take guidance from the stewards in where is best to pitch your tent, if your tent is found blocking the fire lanes and emergency exits your tent may be removed for safety reasons.
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Those with chronic conditions such as epilepsy, asthma and diabetes should bring all their usual medications to cover the festival period, and to be aware they may require hospital treatment if they don’t take it
Strobe lighting – pyrotechnics, lasers, smoke machines, strobe lighting/special effects may take place during some performances.

Security

We take the security and safety of our festival goers very seriously – it is a real priority.

Please help us by bringing as little as possible, and remember we do not allow bags larger than A4 into the arena. Please be patient while we carry out our security checks and searches, which take place at the campsite gates and the arena entrance, and may also happen at any time at any location onsite.

Our security staff are there for your safety – please co-operate with them as they work to keep us all safe and sound. Some are covert, but most are obvious by their green or white tabard. Always go to them if you need help.

The medical tent is fully staffed, open 24/7 and located in the campsites and the arena.

There are security measures you will see and of course ones that you can’t. The whole site is monitored throughout by staff on the ground along with an extensive CCTV system watched round the clock by a team of monitors in a fully staffed Event Control. We work very closely with West Yorkshire Police and members of the security services to ensure our security procedures are up to date and we are following best practice. We put a lot of time and effort on briefing and training and run emergency exercises. We also have a team of sniffer dogs working around the clock.

Please help us by reporting anything that doesn’t look right to you and also please let us know if you spot an area where we can do better, and we will get on it.

Violence against women and girls

Leeds Festival are committed to mitigating violence in any forms but recognises the need to focus on Violence Against Women And Girls. The harm caused to victims and society by violence against women and girls (VAWG) in all its forms – including but not limited to harassment, stalking, rape, sexual assault, murder, honour-based abuse, coercive control – is immeasurable. Leeds Festival recognises in order to stop these crimes, we must work together. Therefore, awareness will be formed through staff and volunteer briefings while promoting how to be a ‘Good Bystander’ by following the 4 Ds:

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- Direct: This involves directly addressing the situation or behaviour, such as telling someone to stop their harmful actions, or asking the person being targeted if they are okay.
- Distract: This involves creating a diversion to interrupt the situation, like asking a question, starting a conversation, or causing a minor commotion.
- Delegate: This involves involving a third party, such as a supervisor, security, or someone with authority in the situation, to intervene.
- Delay: If direct intervention isn’t safe or appropriate, delaying action and checking in with the person affected afterwards or informing a manager or other authority can be a helpful approach.

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Ticket holders are encouraged to report any signs of violence or something that doesn’t look for feel right to any member of staff, volunteer or AIR Hubs.

We will not tolerate violence against Women and Girls at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival. If you see something, say something and intervene where safe to do so. Our staff are here to help, and are never too far away.

Drug Use Policy

DRUGS POLICY
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This festival does not condone the use of drugs. It is illegal to buy, sell or take drugs. Drugs enforcement laws are as applicable onsite as anywhere else in the UK.
We want our festival goers to know above all else that we are here to help and you can come to us for help without fear of getting in trouble.
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DRUGS ADVICE
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We do not recommend you take drugs, but if you do please bear the following in mind.

There are drugs in circulation in the UK that can kill with one single pill.
There is no way to know what drugs contain from looking. Even pills that look the same can have different strengths. Know the facts.
If in doubt, get checked out. Do you know the signs of an overdose? Know the facts.
Mixing drugs with other drugs / alcohol / prescription drugs can be very dangerous and mixing is behind many drugs deaths.
Cheap does not mean weak.
Pure does not mean safe.
You don’t know the strength of what you might be taking. You don’t know how your body will react. You can’t tell what you are taking by looking at it. You can’t tell how you will react by the reaction others have had.
You can always up your dose but you can’t reduce it. Wait at least 2 hours before taking any more.
If your powder or pills don’t take effect as quickly as you would expect, don’t assume they are poor quality – they may contain another substance that takes longer to take effect. If you then take more as a result you are at increased risk of overdose when the combined doses do kick in.
Treat all drugs as unknown.
Take regular breaks if you are dancing or exercising or in a hot environment and rehydrate with water or soft drinks – take small sips regularly but don’t have more than one pint an hour.
Having an isotonic drink such as Lucozade can help if you have been drinking a lot of water.
Use in a safe environment, with people you trust, look after each other and make sure you are with someone at all times. Ask for help if you need it.
You can talk to the Wellbeing Team in confidence at any time and they have drugs advisory staff to help you. They are open 24 hours and based in the Village next to the Medical Tent or within the Arena.

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NPS AND FORMER LEGAL HIGHS
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Our drugs policies include Nitrous Oxide (Nos) and other former legal highs all of which are dangerous. They are not safe or mild because they used to be legal.
Former legal highs are now known as NPS (New Psychoactive Substances) and it is an offence now to sell them. If you take NPS, then keep the packet in case you need to show someone what you have taken but note that what it says on the packet isn’t necessarily what is in the packet. Also chemicals can fall to the bottom of the bag leading to a very high dose.

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DEALERS
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We will take firm action in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police to arrest dealers.
There are covert staff onsite and as a condition of entry you are subject to search at any time. Staff will search for illegal items including drugs.
If someone offers you drugs, please report them to the nearest member of security with as much information as you can.

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ALCOHOL
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Pace yourself.
Try to avoid getting too intoxicated in unfamiliar situations. You can lose control, make risky decisions and become less aware of danger.
Alcohol and other drugs can impair your judgement. Don’t feel pressured into doing anything you aren’t comfortable with.
If you are having a bad time or struggling but don’t feel you need medical attention, visit the Wellbeing Team.
If you need medical attention, visit the Medical Tent or ask the nearest member of staff to help you.
If someone becomes unconscious or unresponsive, put them in the recovery position (on their side) and seek immediate medical attention by alerting the nearest member of security.
Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.
If you are drinking from early in the day, try to stick to drinks with a lower ABV, for example, lager rather than spirits.
Alcohol is the most common substance used to spike drinks. Never leave drinks unattended and don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know.
Mixing alcohol with drugs has been a common factor in some recent drug-related deaths connected with festivals.

‍
FURTHER INFORMATION
‍
wearetheloop.org/crush-dab-wait/
talktofrank.com
bluelight.org
drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-illegal-drugs/
acast.com/saywhytodrugs
prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/mixing-xanax-with-alcohol/
addictioncenter.com/addiction/polydrug-use/
themix.org.uk/drink-and-drugs/drugs-and-your-body/misusing-prescription-drugs-9575.html

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Remember if you take drugs and become ill, depressed or concerned, make sure you ask the nearest member of staff to direct you to our Wellbeing Tent in the Village which is open 24 hours. If you or someone you are with has a bad reaction and needs medical help, talk to the nearest member of staff immediately. Let the medics know what has been taken. You could save your friend’s life. People who are overdosing can go downhill very quickly so don’t delay in seeking help.

MORE INFORMATION ON ECSTASY DEATHS
Ecstasy deaths appear to be rising year on year. There appears to be a link with the amount of MDMA found in tablets more recently. In 2005 each pill contained around 80mg of MDMA. Some recent pills have tested upwards of 250mg MDMA. This could be firmly in the fatal overdose range. A combination of factors are at play such as bodyweight, hormone levels, mixing with other drugs including alcohol, underlying health and so on. There is no safe dose.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE DANGERS OF MIXING DRUGS

Mixing drugs intensifies the effects of each drug and makes them more dangerous and potentially fatal. Mixing drugs and alcohol is common but alcohol can have a big impact on the way many substances affect you. It could enhance the effects of the first drug but it could also create a dangerous or potentially fatal chemical reaction. Mixing ecstasy with cocaine can increase the high but also increases the risk of cardiac arrest. The more drugs that are used simultaneously including alcohol and including prescription drugs, the greater the risk. DO NOT MIX.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON PARTICULAR COMBINATIONS
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ALCOHOL AND ECSTASY
Alcohol can moderate the high from ecstasy and also increase the intensity of the come down. Both drugs cause dehydration which increases the risk of heatstroke when dancing in a hot environment for hours. There is a greater strain on the liver and kidneys which can lead to feeling / being sick. Both drugs impair judgment. Mixing alcohol with ecstasy has resulted in a number of drugs overdoses at music festivals in recent years.

ALCOHOL AND COCAINE
This combination results in the formation of an entirely new chemical in the body called cocaethylene. This is then associated with liver damage, seizures and immune system damage. Immediate death from cocaethylene is 20 times more likely than from cocaine alone. The impact of alcohol can increase the levels of cocaine in the blood by as much as 30% increasing the strain on the cardiovascular system. There is also an increased likelihood of violent behaviour and suicide.

ALCOHOL WITH OTHER STIMULANTS
A combination of alcohol with other stimulants such as ritalin, adderall, amphetamine, some diet pills, some over the counter cold remedies and even some strong energy drinks can also be dangerous. As with cocaine they can obscure the sedating effects of alcohol enabling a person to get dangerously drunk without fully realising. Overheating is more likely which can lead to organ damage. A person taking alcohol with these stimulants can lose their inhibitions but be irritable and aggressive.

MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Prescription drugs are not safe if not used according to the issuing doctor’s instructions. The benzodiazepine (benzo’s) group of drugs – valium, xanex, tamazepan etc are often used to come down from other drugs such as ecstasy or speed. This is a dangerous combination as the tranquilizers can be numbing and when taken with alcohol the combined depressant effects can cause fatal overdose by inhibiting breathing or slowing down vital organs.

Festival Republic do not condone any usage of drugs at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival. Drug Detection Dogs will be operating throughout the event. Please don’t be alarmed; they are here for the safety of everyone.”

Drug Use and Psychoactive Substances

Leeds Festival does not condone the use of drugs. It is illegal to buy, sell or take drugs. Drugs enforcement laws are as applicable onsite as anywhere else in the UK but we want our festival goers to know above all else that you can come to us for help without fear of getting in trouble at any time.

Read our policy on drugs and NPS (New Psychoactive Substances)

Remember if you take drugs and become ill, depressed or concerned, make sure you ask the nearest member of staff to direct you to our Welfare Tent in the Village which is open 24 hours. If you or someone you are with has a bad reaction and needs medical help, talk to the nearest member of staff immediately. Let the medics know what has been taken. You could save your friend’s life. People who are overdosing can go downhill very quickly so don’t delay in seeking help.

Lost children

If you have lost a child, please contact a member of staff or police officer immediately who will be able to help you. Any lost children are looked after by our on site Wellbeing team who are located in The Village or The Arena

Drugs policy

DRUGS POLICY

‍
This festival does not condone the use of drugs. It is illegal to buy, sell or take drugs. Drugs enforcement laws are as applicable onsite as anywhere else in the UK.
We want our festival goers to know above all else that we are here to help and you can come to us for help without fear of getting in trouble.

‍
‍
DRUGS ADVICE

‍
We do not recommend you take drugs, but if you do please bear the following in mind.

‍
NPS AND FORMER LEGAL HIGHS

‍
Our drugs policies include Nitrous Oxide (Nos) and other former legal highs all of which are dangerous. They are not safe or mild because they used to be legal.
Former legal highs are now known as NPS (New Psychoactive Substances) and it is an offence now to sell them. If you take NPS, then keep the packet in case you need to show someone what you have taken but note that what it says on the packet isn’t necessarily what is in the packet. Also chemicals can fall to the bottom of the bag leading to a very high dose.

‍
DEALERS

‍
We will take firm action in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police to arrest dealers.
There are covert staff onsite and as a condition of entry you are subject to search at any time. Staff will search for illegal items including drugs.
If someone offers you drugs, please report them to the nearest member of security with as much information as you can.

‍
ALCOHOL

‍
Pace yourself.
Try to avoid getting too intoxicated in unfamiliar situations. You can lose control, make risky decisions and become less aware of danger.
Alcohol and other drugs can impair your judgement. Don’t feel pressured into doing anything you aren’t comfortable with.
If you are having a bad time or struggling but don’t feel you need medical attention, visit the Wellbeing Team.
If you need medical attention, visit the Medical Tent or ask the nearest member of staff to help you.
If someone becomes unconscious or unresponsive, put them in the recovery position (on their side) and seek immediate medical attention by alerting the nearest member of security.
Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.
If you are drinking from early in the day, try to stick to drinks with a lower ABV, for example, lager rather than spirits.
Alcohol is the most common substance used to spike drinks. Never leave drinks unattended and don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know.
Mixing alcohol with drugs has been a common factor in some recent drug-related deaths connected with festivals.

‍
FURTHER INFORMATION

‍
wearetheloop.org/crush-dab-wait/
talktofrank.com
bluelight.org
drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-illegal-drugs/
acast.com/saywhytodrugs
prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/mixing-xanax-with-alcohol/
addictioncenter.com/addiction/polydrug-use/
themix.org.uk/drink-and-drugs/drugs-and-your-body/misusing-prescription-drugs-9575.html

MORE INFORMATION ON ECSTASY DEATHS

Ecstasy deaths appear to be rising year on year. There appears to be a link with the amount of MDMA found in tablets more recently. In 2005 each pill contained around 80mg of MDMA. Some recent pills have tested upwards of 250mg MDMA. This could be firmly in the fatal overdose range. A combination of factors are at play such as bodyweight, hormone levels, mixing with other drugs including alcohol, underlying health and so on. There is no safe dose.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE DANGERS OF MIXING DRUGS

FURTHER INFORMATION ON PARTICULAR COMBINATIONS
‍
ALCOHOL AND ECSTASY

Alcohol can moderate the high from ecstasy and also increase the intensity of the come down. Both drugs cause dehydration which increases the risk of heatstroke when dancing in a hot environment for hours. There is a greater strain on the liver and kidneys which can lead to feeling / being sick. Both drugs impair judgment. Mixing alcohol with ecstasy has resulted in a number of drugs overdoses at music festivals in recent years.

ALCOHOL AND COCAINE

This combination results in the formation of an entirely new chemical in the body called cocaethylene. This is then associated with liver damage, seizures and immune system damage. Immediate death from cocaethylene is 20 times more likely than from cocaine alone. The impact of alcohol can increase the levels of cocaine in the blood by as much as 30% increasing the strain on the cardiovascular system. There is also an increased likelihood of violent behaviour and suicide.

ALCOHOL WITH OTHER STIMULANTS

A combination of alcohol with other stimulants such as ritalin, adderall, amphetamine, some diet pills, some over the counter cold remedies and even some strong energy drinks can also be dangerous. As with cocaine they can obscure the sedating effects of alcohol enabling a person to get dangerously drunk without fully realising. Overheating is more likely which can lead to organ damage. A person taking alcohol with these stimulants can lose their inhibitions but be irritable and aggressive.

MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Prescription drugs are not safe if not used according to the issuing doctor’s instructions. The benzodiazepine (benzo’s) group of drugs – valium, xanex, tamazepan etc are often used to come down from other drugs such as ecstasy or speed. This is a dangerous combination as the tranquilizers can be numbing and when taken with alcohol the combined depressant effects can cause fatal overdose by inhibiting breathing or slowing down vital organs.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON PARTICULAR COMBINATIONS

‍
ALCOHOL AND ECSTASY

ALCOHOL AND COCAINE

ALCOHOL WITH OTHER STIMULANTS

MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Festival Republic do not condone any usage of drugs at Leeds Festival. Drug Detection Dogs will be operating throughout the event. Please don’t be alarmed; they are here for the safety of everyone.”

Golden Labrador wearing a green harness sitting on wood chips under bright sunlight at an outdoor event.

Fires

Campfires are no longer allowed anywhere at the festival, including the campsites. This is to support the Air Quality Strategy and in consideration of local impacts as set out in our Green Nation Charter. Anyone seen creating or fuelling a fire will be evicted from the festival site. We have to continue to protect our future on this planet.

Flares

Being found in possession of a flare or firework at a music event is now a criminal offence. Anyone found in possession will be removed from site and could face up to 3 months in prison and / or a fine.

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Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that can kill in minutes. Never take a portable barbecue – or lit charcoal – into an enclosed space like a tent or caravan. Disposable BBQs and campfires are banned. Make sure exhaust fumes from generators are properly vented away from occupied areas.

If you think you have potentially been exposed to carbon monoxide whilst at the festival, please contact a steward immediately.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Tiredness and confusion
Stomach pain
Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

Eviction Information

The Event is produced for the enjoyment of all attendees. We reserve the right to evict anyone from site for the reasons outlined below. The decision whether to evict will be at the discretion of the Eviction Team / Security Coordinator following advice from security personnel.

Reasons for eviction:

Entering or being inside the Event without a ticket or relevant pass/ wristband;
Unacceptable, disruptive or anti-social behaviour; *
Having been arrested or cautioned in connection with a criminal offence, pending or post-hand-over to the Police.
*Unacceptable behaviour that can lead to eviction includes but is not limited to:

Illegal activity;

breaching the terms and conditions of entry;
failing to submit to a search as a condition of entry:
harassing or causing distress to staff or other attendees including (but not limited to) sexual harassment, discrimination, abusive behaviour, and offensive language;
filming or photographing staff in a manner likely to constitute harassment or cause distress
throwing any objects in the direction of people;
encouraging others to behave badly by incitement;
preventing security or emergency responders reacting to a situation;
building or fueling fires including throwing gas canisters onto fires;
committing a criminal offence but not arrested by the police;
in possession of unlawful drugs;
unofficially selling alcohol, tobacco, counterfeit goods or any other unauthorised goods;
ticket touting;
any other behaviour that leaves the Event open to prosecution or is not conducive to maintaining a safe Event.
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All evictees will be processed via Eviction Team / Security Coordinator, and their wristbands / tickets will be removed to prevent them from re-entering the Event.
All persons presented for eviction by security will be interviewed by the Eviction Team / Security Coordinator who are independent of security, and their details will be recorded in a database with their full personal details, a photograph, date and time and the reasons for eviction.
All evictees will be able to make a free telephone call if they do not have a mobile phone to contact members of their group and/or family.
Evictees will need to phone a friend at the Event to collect their belongings before their eviction as they will not be permitted back into the Event to find them. We will not be responsible for ensuring that they leave the Event with their belongings.
Evictees will receive a letter detailing the eviction process.
Evictees are liable to receive a life time ban from purchasing tickets or working/volunteering for any LNE / FR Events.