With Beyonce belting out her hits at the V Festival this summer, analysis of the UK’s top festivals by Aviva shows that while the stage is pumping theft numbers are jumping. Official crime statistics show that in 2012 thefts from ten of the top festivals, including V and Reading, rose by 39% from the previous year and the value of items stolen was £334,214 from a total of 1232 thefts. And, according to research from Aviva, 16% of festival goers have had possessions lost, stolen or damaged in the past.
With Beyonce belting out her hits at the V Festival this summer, analysis of the UK’s top festivals by Aviva shows that while the stage is pumping theft numbers are jumping.
Official crime statistics show that in 2012 thefts from ten of the top festivals, including V and Reading, rose by 39% from the previous year* and the value of items stolen was £334,214 from a total of 1232 thefts. And, according to research from Aviva, 16% of festival goers have had possessions lost, stolen or damaged in the past.**
The biggest rise in thefts, and the highest value of possessions stolen in 2012, was reported by Bestival. The festival on the Isle of Wight saw thefts jump by 228% to 400 last year, from 122 in 2011. And it had the highest total of items stolen adding up to £124,000. Latitude, in Suffolk, also saw a big rise in thefts, up 207% from 28 to 86.
However, there has been a big reduction in thefts at the V festival in Chelmsford where the number has dropped dramatically by 43% to 94. The V Festival in Staffordshire had a smaller drop in thefts of just 4% but the value of possessions stolen decreased by 55% to £9,800.
Total number of thefts at top UK festivals in 2011 and 2012
| Festival | Number of Thefts | ||
|
| 2011 | 2012 | % +/- |
| V Festival Essex | 165 | 94 | -43% |
| V Festival Staffs | 112 | 108 | -4% |
| Bestival | 122 | 400 | 228% |
| Reading Festival | 195 | 176 | -10% |
| T in the Park | 47 | 47 | 0% |
| Latitude | 28 | 86 | 207% |
| Wireless Festival | 53 | 101 | 91% |
| Beach Break | 12 | 15 | 25% |
| Sundown | 24 | 46 | 92% |
| Download | 129 | 159 | 23% |
| Total | 887 | 1232 | 39% |
Comparing the value of possessions stolen in seven of the festivals, where we have like-for-like data, the average amount per person has fallen from £325 in 2011 to £295 in 2012. This suggests some people have heeded crime prevention advice and become more wary about taking expensive personal items to festivals.
By contrast, at the Olympics the average value of possessions stolen was £44 higher than the festival average at £339. This suggests the once in a lifetime event prompted people to take more expensive items with them to capture the record-breaking moments.
Festival goers' fears
Aviva’s consumer research revealed festival goers’ biggest worries before attending a festival are weather 75% and lack of facilities 58%. Less than half (44%) rank possessions stolen as a concern, while only a quarter (25%) are worried about lost or damaged belongings. This suggests people may not realise the need to protect their personal belongings before heading to a festival.
Aviva calculates the average value of possessions*** people take to a festival at £928.97. So those unlucky enough to become a victim of crime could well be out of pocket if they aren’t properly covered.
Richard Hiscocks, head of household claims at Aviva said; “Festivals are a main event of the British summer, with music and merriment, come rain or shine. But with any large gathering there’s a risk of theft, especially when most of us will be carrying expensive electronics such as smartphones and cameras.
“There are a number of preventative measures that can help reduce the risk of being a target - toning down on flashy gadgets and keeping items in a zipped bag rather than a back pocket can deter would be thieves.
“While it looks as if some festival goers are following security advice, it’s clear people will continue to take expensive items to festivals. Additional personal belongings cover on your home insurance can give peace of mind that your items are covered against theft and damage if the worst happens while you’re enjoying the fun.”
Your Cover
All your valuables as well as camping gear like tents, cooking equipment and binoculars can be covered under the Personal Belongings section of your home policy. This means you are covered anywhere in the world if your belongings are stolen, but also if they are accidentally lost or damaged.
It covers everyone who lives permanently in the home, so if parents have added it to their policy, the teenage kids will be covered too!
Personal Belongings cover starts from around £27 a year with an Aviva contents insurance policy and covers:
- Clothing and personal belongings up to your chosen limit (from £2,000 up to £10,000 with the maximum limit for any one item being £2000)
- Up to £750 of personal money
- Credit cards up to £1,000
Aviva’s top tips to enjoy a worry free festival:
- Never leave valuables unattended in tents or in cars
- Consider what you really need to take. Can you share who takes what among your friends?
- Do you really need to take an expensive watch?
- Only take out as much cash as you need
- Separate cash from cards and only take one bank/credit card if you can
- Make sure pockets or handbags have zipped openings to prevent belongings being snatched
- Don’t flash the cash or the expensive hi-tech gadgets
- Keep belongings in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night
- Use the free lock-up areas provided by the festival organisers or ensure personal belongings are kept close and within sight
- Report anything lost or stolen to the police immediately and get a crime number that you can report to your insurance company
- Ends –
If you are a journalist and would like further information, please contact:
Aviva Press Office: John Franklin 01603 680795 john.s.franklin@aviva.co.uk
The Wriglesworth Consultancy: Hugh Murphy /Tilly Parke 020 7427 1400 h.murphy@wriglesworth.com
*Data requests were submitted to 10 UK police forces on 19st March 2013 for number and value of thefts for 10 UK festivals. The police forces contacted were, Essex Police (V Festival Chelmsford), Staffordshire Police (V Festival Staffordshire), Thames Valley Police (Reading Festival), Tayside Police (T in the Park), Suffolk Constabulary (Latitude Festival), Norfolk Police (Sundown), The Metropolitan Police (Wireless Festival), Hampshire (Bestival), Dyfed-powys Police (Beach Break), Leicestershire Police (Donwload) . The Metropolitan Police were also contacted regarding information for the London Olympic Park
**Based on a survey of 1,513 UK adults conducted by Wriglesworth Research between 16th – 27th May 2013
***Based on most popular mobile phone (Samsung Galaxy S4 16GB, £539.00) according to Uswitch.com, most popular MP3 player (SONY Walkman NWZE474L.9CEW 8 GB MP3 with FM radio, £69.99) according to Curry’s, most popular camera (PANASONIC Lumix DMC-TZ30EB-K Advanced Compact Digital Camera, £199.99) according to Curry’s and most popular tent (Vango Banshee 300 2012, £119.99) according to Cotswold Outdoors.
Notes to editors:
Aviva provides insurance, savings and investment products to 34 million customers worldwide.
We are the UK’s largest insurer with over 14 million customers and one of Europe’s leading providers of life and general insurance. We combine strong life insurance, general insurance and asset management businesses under one powerful brand. We are committed to serving our customers well in order to build a stronger, sustainable business, which makes a positive contribution to society, and for which our people are proud to work.
We are ranked as one of the UK’s top ten most valuable brands and Aviva Plc is in the top 10% of socially responsible companies globally in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. In 2012 we invested £5.7m into our UK communities. One in three of our employees were involved in community investment activities which included giving nearly 30,000 hours.
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