RIP Camping Robberies!

Again didn't know about this until reading the thread. I think I may of had some cash stolen on the Saturday...Or I spent it in the bar (I was pretty wrecked)
 
I think more security is definitely needed looking back it was quite unsafe, but they need to understand what RIP is all about and that it isn't like general camping so they need to be looking out for serious matters like robberies rather than someone shouting buttscratcher at 1.05 AM

We woke up to a distressed girl on Thursday morning I think who had her bag and camera stolen. After attending RIP four years straight this was a first for me. As you have all mentioned before we pay alot extra for RIP camping so we should feel safe and to hear the horror stories that have happened this year is very worrying. Luckily nothing happened to us not that I know off anyway. I definately think this needs to be brought up properly when the fan forums come around again. 

starsky72
We saw a "more mature" couple jump the small metal gate (50m or so before you reached the Hells Gate entrance) on the Sunday night

 
Yeah, I saw a few people doing that.
 
What I also find a bit annoying is that even when you think people are checking your wristband, they really aren't. Can't remember how the conversation came about, but someone I was with in RIP this year pointed out that they'd entered via the Hell's Gate entrance every day on their 2009 regular camping/arena wristband - this year's RIP wristband being on the opposite wrist.
 
I discussed trying getting in by wrapping the timetable lanyard around a wrist (same colours). Didn't try it in the end, but bet it would have worked.
 
So yeah ... better security than a few years ago (when even Hell's Gate wasn't checked - remember the big girl who was supposed to be checking wristbands, but was mostly getting off wth her other half) - but still basically rubbish. They've got away with it so far, but I think this year changes this - now they need to sort it out.

Wonko.

We had one in our group stolen from after that we used the car at night.
 
Yes they had all kinds of plain clothes police in the campsite after reports of robberies came in.
 
I talked to a few of you there and asked about maybe LN should have a small info tent in each field that is manned 24hrs
Next  year I guess using your car will be adhered more.

   

can we get someone from LN to comment on this or let us know what will be put into place for next year to prevent such easy access to our "more secure" campsite?!

4th year in RIP and so disappointed that some of our dear friends got robbed
whilst they were sleeping. Am not going to go on too much about it, will wait
till they ask us about our feedback! can't wait to have a moan.

Rip Challenges won 2    
 

It was our fourth year in a row in RIP this year and the first time we've heard of any problems. We were actually camped next to Daz (who started this thread) this year, but I'm not blaming him for this in any way...
 
We heard about the thefts but nothing of ours was taken, although about 4am on the Sunday night/Monday morning, I woke up to find that my tent had been opened and left open by someone while I was asleep inside, but nothing had been taken. The only things that were near the entrance to the tent were the rank muddy clothes I'd been wearing during Sunday. Unlucky, dickheads.
 
Security did seem better and a few times we were asked to show our wristbands by security while we were walking around RIP, but those back fields furthest away from Hell's Gate/The Farmhouse did seem to be easy targets this year.

u were camped next to meee? who were u?
 
EDIT: the pic has come up now! helloooooo :) u have an ok trip back?
we kept hearing noises all sunday night, nicky was freaking out a bit :(

We were the Manxies you plied with Jager on the first night.

lol i just seen ur pic after i posted that...
i had nothing to do with with the jager's :p
 
 

Daz

Markinetic

It was our fourth year in a row in RIP this year and the first time we've heard of any problems. We were actually camped next to Daz (who started this thread) this year, but I'm not blaming him for this in any way...

We heard about the thefts but nothing of ours was taken, although about 4am on the Sunday night/Monday morning, I woke up to find that my tent had been opened and left open by someone while I was asleep inside, but nothing had been taken. The only things that were near the entrance to the tent were the rank muddy clothes I'd been wearing during Sunday. Unlucky, dickheads.

Security did seem better and a few times we were asked to show our wristbands by security while we were walking around RIP, but those back fields furthest away from Hell's Gate/The Farmhouse did seem to be easy targets this year.

u were camped next to meee? who were u?

EDIT: the pic has come up now! helloooooo :) u have an ok trip back?
we kept hearing noises all sunday night, nicky was freaking out a bit :(

Yeah, we got back fine, cheers. It was a long afternoon stinking up Birmingham airport until our 7.30pm flight home but it was worth the wait for that first proper shower. If we go again next year, we'll bring Jager for you this time.  Say hi to everyone for us.

I also noticed the very young looking girl doing security on the gate, nothing wrong with her doing that job in my opinion but even I could of overpowered her if I really wanted to get in - not much of a deterrent also the fact you could hop over the fence 5 meters earlier didn't help either.
Hope the get things sorted and so glad Peter came with me this year or would of freaked out and gone home.
Hope things get sorted and looking forward to an explanation.

I agree Holly, was saying to Imran myself that there is no way those 2 girls were stopping anyone. If you are gonna have someone like that then put them with someone who has a bit of force to them.

I'm really shocked to read all this! Like someone else mentioned earlier - I really think security should have made it widely known that there had been some thefts around the site - posters on the showers/toilets and word of mouth so the rest of us that had been lured into a false sense of security could have been snapped out of it. Also it might have been helpful to put descriptions of the people seen running away so we could be more alert. Feel so lucky not to have been robbed considering where I left items - certainly won't be leaving things lying around again next year. So sorry to all of those who were robbed.

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wow....I was considering going RIP next year but reading this has me a bit worried. I did Family this year and we had an 8ft concrete wall seperating us from standard and only one entrance which was manned at all times...I am not sure paying over an extra £100 will be worth it if RIP is that un-secure. I hope they sort this as I really wanted to do RIP next year
 

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yeah this is rather off putting to a package i was very interested to cough up for. well is it ok we bring baseball bats and are allowed to get away with murder? then for some of your change people you will be guarded

Sambles

wow....I was considering going RIP next year but reading this has me a bit worried. I did Family this year and we had an 8ft concrete wall seperating us from standard and only one entrance which was manned at all times...I am not sure paying over an extra £100 will be worth it if RIP is that un-secure. I hope they sort this as I really wanted to do RIP next year

 
Unless they improve the security immensely then you're much safer in Family camping!

i for one will wait for the feeback to be taken into account. other than the severe security issues, RIP next year for me.

I had no idea there were robberies in the camp until I read this. We did get approached as we were having some drinks under our gazebo one evening in the early hours by two plain clothed police officers who introduced themselves and showed us their ID as they said they didn't want us thinking they were acting suspiciously walking around the camp. To be honest didn't really think about it, just thought oh that's good they are looking after us. No mention of the previous thefts. Such a shame as I only encountered great people at the camp, I think if they can, a nice big fence next year. So suprised we were not hit as we were in the field at the far right by the gate, so easy pickings. Although we did sleep with our wallets. Will still go RIP next year, can't cope with the thought of going back to mad max land.

My mate camping in the same tent thinks he had money taken from his wallet (although had been very drunk Weds night so may have spent it all at the bar). Sad that it has happened but I think it had been mentioned too many times on here how there was no crimes that it has caught the attention of the wrong people.
 
I hope something is done to increase security for next year although I am pretty sure I will be back in RIP camping next year anyway. Everyone will just need to be much more careful with valuables. Mine either staying in the car or in the pockets of whatever I wore to bed.

if i do RIP and security/fence aren't installed am locking my tent and taking a gun ( dont worry itll be made of plastic so it can be recycled )

We were joking about somehow fixing a **** alarm to the tent zip next year on the night time :D If anyone tries to get in and pulls the pin every camper around gets alerted haha

 

Markinetic

Daz

Markinetic

It was our fourth year in a row in RIP this year and the first time we've heard of any problems. We were actually camped next to Daz (who started this thread) this year, but I'm not blaming him for this in any way...

We heard about the thefts but nothing of ours was taken, although about 4am on the Sunday night/Monday morning, I woke up to find that my tent had been opened and left open by someone while I was asleep inside, but nothing had been taken. The only things that were near the entrance to the tent were the rank muddy clothes I'd been wearing during Sunday. Unlucky, dickheads.

Security did seem better and a few times we were asked to show our wristbands by security while we were walking around RIP, but those back fields furthest away from Hell's Gate/The Farmhouse did seem to be easy targets this year.

u were camped next to meee? who were u?

EDIT: the pic has come up now! helloooooo :) u have an ok trip back?
we kept hearing noises all sunday night, nicky was freaking out a bit :(

Yeah, we got back fine, cheers. It was a long afternoon stinking up Birmingham airport until our 7.30pm flight home but it was worth the wait for that first proper shower. If we go again next year, we'll bring Jager for you this time.  Say hi to everyone for us.

 
Hellooooooooo *waves*
Glad you all got back safe. Haha we have it in writing you're bringing the jager!

 http://forums.downloadfestival.co.uk/m5027721.aspx

   

Doodle
We were joking about somehow fixing a **** alarm to the tent zip next year

 
The guy who was woken up on Saturday night/sunday morning ... this was because he'd put dried pasta under something on both sides of the entrance to his tent. Crunchy. Simples.

Wonko.

Genius idea! DIY alarm!

 
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we were camped next to the fence where we think they were coming in.
we put all our empty cans/bottles at the side of the fence, so if they climbed over we'd hear them

am sure this will be sorted as my only concern to other what seems a fantastic expirence.

Bear Traps would work.. just dont forget about them in the morning.. also if anyone knows how to make the ol' tin can alarm (watch rambo) you will know if someone approaches your tent.

Hmm yea bear traps are good until you forget about them at 4am when needing to go to the loo......

well 'ckin hell. We were in RIP. and apart from noticing most of the security were young 'uns who would have been jack use if owt kicked off, and having to go out and buy a tiny two man tent after forgettin bloody tent poles for our big tent, leading to being bloody wet and cold most of the weekend, we had a good time, no signs of theivin where we were almost opposite Hells Gate, by the pond.
Thanks to Animal and his mates for their help with charging phones etc over the weekend. Didnt even see any dibbles wandering about to be honest
 
I did wonder as I walked out Sunday evening after Black Veil Brides (I was soaked and ****in pissed off by then) why security were frisking people on entry. Really frisking em, like they do at football matches. Never seen that at any festival in 31 years, weekly at footie matches
 
I'm also guessing those who got gear nicked didnt have cars/vans with them. Except for small amounts of money and keys we allus leave our stuff locked away in the motor out of site.
 
Hope they catch and throw the ****in book at the scumbags, although I aint holding my breath

Screaming  Blue Murder

Doodle

We were joking about somehow fixing a **** alarm to the tent zip next year on the night time :D If anyone tries to get in and pulls the pin every camper around gets alerted haha

Thats what I did this year, one of them attack alarms that you can carry in a handbag.It gets pinned to the ground by a tent peg and the pin is attached to the tent zip. Open the zip and ear splitting siren goes off until pin is replaced  

According to LiveNation lockers will be available next year in the RIP zone so I'm gonna put anything worth taking in there incase anything like this happens again.

yea lockers would be a good idea for those who dont bring a car. there are lockers in ordinary camping but thats a tad out of the way!

Hopefully security will be improved this year , because that was the only concern last year in RIP. I wasnt affected but once i heard about the first incident , i checked the camp out and it was easy for someone to get in and out without being checked. I trust live nation will have it more secure. Not sure about the zip alarm , i would forget i had set it , when i wake up dieing for a toilet trip at 5.30 am . And promptly break the noise curfew !!

skankin_pickle

yea lockers would be a good idea for those who dont bring a car. there are lockers in ordinary camping but thats a tad out of the way!

Not seen anywhere i can pre -book a RIP locker . They are a good idea i used one in 2010 (normal camp). The only downside is the queue to get one when you first arrive in the village. I gave up on the wed and thurs , but got up very early on the friday and got one . ( and i had pre-booked )

Iwill ask about lockers but also remember that the majority of people have cars with them or people with cars.

   

the only problem with relying on the cars is most of them have remote locking and if your keys are nicked from your tent it would not be hard to find the car. I think I heard of this happening last year.

 
 

Jezebel

Iwill ask about lockers but also remember that the majority of people have cars with them or people with cars.

 
We will not have a car, but understand that the Kocoons have locks on them anyway - but if lockers are available for RIP would use one as a back up. 

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Jezebel

Iwill ask about lockers but also remember that the majority of people have cars with them or people with cars.

We will not have a car, but understand that the Kocoons have locks on them anyway - but if lockers are available for RIP would use one as a back up. 

Yes, they do. Its a code lock as I recall. I had to write mine on my hand, as I  have a memory like a sieve.