Safety 'What to do if you...'

…Experience or witness an emergency

If a serious or life-threatening crime is being committed, please contact a member of staff in a bright tabard or police officer 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.

…Are struggling with your mental health

In the instance of a mental health emergency, when you or someone else could harm yourself or others, please find a member of staff wearing a high-vis immediately. They can radio for the right assistance. Alternatively, visit a medical tent if you are able.

Festivals can be overwhelming and can take a toll on your mental health. If you need support, a friendly chat, or a comfortable stress-free place to chill out, you can visit:

One of our Airhubs (24hrs) – The AIR Hubs are across our campsites at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival. These are staffed by our volunteers from local community groups and charities.

Samaritans (24hrs) – Based in the Village
The volunteer team are expertly trained at listening and providing comfort to those in need.

Festival Angels (24hrs) – Based in the Village – check in and chill

Salvation Army (24hrs) – Based in the Village
The Salvation Army have volunteered at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival for decades, providing emotional and practical support for festival goers at their popular tea tent.

You can also visit a Wellbeing tent for confidential chats and chillout time:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)
AIR Hubs are available in the campsites for assistance and can direct you to the wellbeing tents.

…Need a friendly chat

If something is on your mind or you are struggling with the festival environment, you can visit:

One of Our Airhubs (24hrs) –

The AIR Hubs are across our campsites at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival. These are staffed by volunteers from local community groups and charities.

Samaritans (24hrs) – Based in the Village.

The volunteer team are expertly trained at listening and providing comfort to those in need.

Festival Angels (24hrs) – Based in the Village.

The local team provide a friendly face and listening ear for festivalgoers operating within our Safeguarding teams in the campsites.

Salvation Army (24hrs) – Based in the Village.

The Salvation Army have volunteered at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival for decades, providing emotional and practical support for festival goers at their popular tea tent.

You can also visit a Welfare tent for confidential chats and chillout time:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

…Feel uncomfortable about someone’s behaviour towards you

If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, you can go to any bar or security personnel and Ask for Angela. They will provide discreet help to get out of a situation.

You can also seek support at:

One of Our Airhubs (24hrs)

The AIR Hubs are across our campsites at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival. These are staffed by volunteers from local community groups and charities.

Samaritans (24hrs) – Based in the village.
The volunteer team are expertly trained at listening and providing comfort to those in need.

Festival Angels (24hrs) – Based in the Village.
The local team provide a friendly face and listening ear for festivalgoers operating within our Safeguarding teams in the campsites.

Salvation Army (24hrs) – Based in the Village.
The Salvation Army have volunteered at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival for decades, providing emotional and practical support for festival goers at their popular tea tent.

You can also visit a Wellbeing tent for confidential chats and chillout time:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

…Experience sexual assault

If you think you may have been the victim of sexual assault, approach any member of staff wearing a hi viz tabard for assistance. Alternatively, you can visit a Wellbeing tent where they will be able to provide the care and support you need:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

If you have experienced a crime on site and need support on next steps or simply to talk, please visit SARC – Sexual Assault Referral Centres based in the Village:

Wednesday: 12:00pm-00:00am
Thursday: 24hrs
Friday-Sunday: 24hrs
Monday: closed
Providing emotional and practical support on site to anyone who is a victim of any crime including, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Ask a member of the festival team for us or find us on site in the Village. We will be on hand to help during the festival & offer longer term support if you need it.

…Are having a bad experience with drugs or alcohol

We still want our festival-goers to know that you can come to us for help if you or your friends need it, without fear of getting in trouble at any time.

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. We guarantee you will not get in trouble. People who are overdosing can go downhill very quickly so don’t delay in seeking help.

If you take drugs and become ill, depressed or concerned, make sure you ask the nearest member of staff to direct you to our Medical Tent or Wellbeing Tent.

Always be honest with medics and welfare teams about what you have consumed so that they know how best to help you.

Medical:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

Wellbeing:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

UK Narcotics Anonymous are situated in the Arena. Their opening hours are:

Wednesday/Thursday: closed
Friday-Sunday: 12:00pm-22:00pm
Monday: closed
Narcotics Anonymous is a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. At Leeds, you can drop into their tent for a chat and attend scheduled meetings.

Check out No Regrets Leeds for their tips and tricks on Festival Season, Talk Alcohol No Regrets

…Experience theft or another crime

In an emergency: Alert a steward or a security person wearing a high-vis who will know how to contact law enforcement and security services.

If you need to contact West Yorkshire Police to report a non-emergency crime or to provide information on a crime while at the festival, please go to a Wellbeing tent:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)
If you have experienced a crime on site and need support on next steps or simply to talk, please visit one of our AIR Hubs or Campsite Manager Offices (24hrs).

Providing emotional and practical support on site to anyone who is a victim of any crime including, domestic abuse and sexual violence. We will be on hand to help during the festival & offer longer term support if you need.

…Are concerned about sexual health

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

If you have experienced a crime on site and need support on next steps or simply to talk, please visit SARC – Sexual Assault Referral Centres based in the Village:

…May have been spiked

If you think you or someone you know has been spiked:

If it feels like a medical emergency: Alert a steward or a security person wearing a high-vis who will know the way to the nearest medical facility and will be able to contact Medical by radio.

If you are able, get to your nearest Wellbeing or Medical facility. They will be able to advise and support. If you still have your drink, they will be able to test it for spiking:

Medical:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

Wellbeing:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

In partnership with our bar provider, we are ensuring all staff (including our security teams) are briefed on what to be aware of with regards to spiking. Please report any suspicious activity to security or bar staff

…See something that makes you uncomfortable or looks suspicious

Security checks are in place to protect you in conjunction with Action Counter Terrorism. If you spot something that doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and report it to security staff straight away. Follow advice from @TerrorismPolice and #BeSafeBeSound

…You are lost of have lost someone

If you have lost a child or a person, please contact a member of staff or police officer wearing a hi viz tabard immediately. Alternatively, go to a Wellbeing Tent for assistance:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)
Additionally the AIR Hubs can help!

…Are suffering with drug addiction or substance abuse issues

UK Narcotics Anonymous are situated in the Arena. Their opening hours are:

Friday-Sunday: 11:00am-12:00pm
Meetings: 12pm, 4pm and 8pm
Narcotics Anonymous is a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. At Leeds, you can drop into their tent for a chat and attend scheduled meetings.

if you take drugs and become ill, depressed or concerned, make sure you ask the nearest member of staff to direct you to our Medical Tent or Wellbeing Tent.

Always be honest with medics and wellbeing teams about what you have consumed so that they know how best to help you.

Medical:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

Wellbeing:

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

#LOOKOUTFOREACHOTHER

Our campaign to promote safety around drugs and alcohol, consent and keeping an eye out for one another. We want to create an environment where everyone feels safe. Remember:

There is no safe level of drug use.
Tolerance can vary depending on person, what you have eaten and done in a day.
Get help if someone feels unsafe or unwell.
Our staff are here to help, not judge.
Don’t be a state – hydrate. Alternate alcohol with water.
If your head is not in the right place, get out of the crowd and tell someone how you feel.
Leave the mixing to the DJ. Mixing substances is always risky.
Eat, sleep, rehydrate, check in with your mates.
Don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do.
Someone can’t consent if they are drunk or high.

More Information

For parents/guardians

We know it can be nerve-wracking when your young person is heading to a festival on their own. We hope these tips will help your peace of mind. And please see the Full List of Resources below, to put your mind at ease that there are plenty of people onsite looking out for your young person:

There is the dedicated drop off/pick up area, signed as this.
Make sure they have all the essentials before they head off: ticket, money, IDs, comfortable footwear, water bottle.
It is always a good idea to have warm clothing and bedding if they are a weekend camper.
Sun cream and hats will be a life saver in a heatwave!
Make sure they can stick with their mates and have a meeting point in case they do get separated.
Encourage them to give any valuables to the Festival Angels Lost Property which is under supervision 24 hours, they’ll be given a ticket for when they return to collect their belongings.
Make sure they know how to pace themselves if they are over 18 and will be drinking alcohol: plenty of water, food and a safe space to hang out.

Remind them that there is no safe way to take drugs and they will be refused entry or ejected if found with them. However, they or their friends do have a bad experiences with substances, we encourage them to go to a Wellbeing or Medical tent as soon possible and be honest with our staff. They will not get in trouble and will be given the right care.
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#Lookoutforeachother

In 2023, we introduced AIR Hubs across our campsites at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival. They provide a facility over and above the existing security and stewarding teams situated in multiple locations in and amongst the camping areas. AIR is an acronym for ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION & RESPONSE and we will be working with local community groups and charities to run these hubs for us, with the support of our existing safeguarding and welfare partners at the festival. This year, so far the following charities/organisations are coming to join us to run our AIRHUBs: Festival Angels, Age UK, Andy’s Man Club, S-Safe, and Leeds South and East Foodbank . AIR hubs are located throughout the campsites, meaning you will never be too far away from a friendly face or listening ear. Air Hubs will be open 24 hours in the campsites and when the arena is open.

‘Ask for Angela’ – At any bar or any member of staff in a bright tabard

Approach a member of staff and ask for ‘Angela’ if you feel uncomfortable and need discreet help getting out of a situation.

Festival Angels (24hrs) – In the Village.

The local team provide a friendly face and listening ear for festivalgoers operating within our Safeguarding teams in the campsites.

Salvation Army (24hrs) – In the Village

The Salvation Army have volunteered at Pepsi MAX presents Leeds Festival for decades, providing emotional and practical support for festival goers at their popular tea tent.

Samaritans (24hrs)– In the Village

The volunteer team are expertly trained at listening and providing comfort to those in need.

Medical

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)

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. They also operate an on-site pharmacy. Provided by Elite EMS.
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Welfare

Arena – (11am to midnight)
The Village – (24hrs)
If you are struggling with any mental health concerns, having a bad experience with substances or other people then come and see our Welfare team who offer confidential support and a place to stay for however long you need.

Lost Property can be found in the Festival Angels and the AIR Hubs, open 24 hours.

UK Narcotics Anonymous– located in The Arena

Friday-Sunday: 12:00pm-22:00pm
Narcotics Anonymous is a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. At Leeds, you can drop into their tent for a chat and attend scheduled meetings.

Security
Security are trained to keep you safe. You can report issues to them and they can radio for the correct assistance.

West Yorkshire Police
We will be working alongside police officers throughout the festival to ensure everyone attending can have a good time and stay safe. Officers are specially trained and are ready to respond to any incidents quickly. Please feel free to say hello and stop them for a chat if you see them out and about.

Safety Tips