Reading 2011 police granted dispersal order

It's to combat 'riots' and aggressive illegal ticket touts

Daniel Fahey - 17 August 2011

They will use a dispersal order to combat ‘riots’ and aggressive illegal ticket touting, reports the BBC, after the success of its introduction last year.

Previous problems have included the burning of gas canisters, torching of toilets and attacks on stalls.

The extra powers allow police to move groups away from certain areas.

It has not been announced if the same measures have been granted at Leeds Festival 2011.

Rachel Eden, of the Labour-run council, said: "We want everyone who comes to Reading Festival to have a fun and safe time.

"We know that the dispersal order at last year's festival gave real results both to reduce crime and improve the experience for festival-goers.

"The council will continue to work with the police in finding ways to try to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour to improve festival-goers experience."

Supt Stuart Greenfield, of Thames Valley Police, added: "This legislation is a preventative measure to stop crime and, policed correctly, I would expect it to reduce the numbers of victims of crime we have at the festival."

Reading Festival 2011 will take place at Little Johns Farm in Reading, Berkshire and Leeds Festival at Bramham Park in Leeds, Yorkshire from 26-28 August.

Reading and Leeds 2011 tickets are on sale now, priced at £192.50, with day tickets costing £82.50 per day.

Reading Festival Saturday and Sunday tickets are sold out.

Click here to buy Reading Festival tickets.

Click here to buy Leeds Festival tickets.

The Strokes, Pulp, Muse and My Chemical Romance will headline Reading and Leeds 2011.

Click here to see the Reading Festival line-up.

Click here to see the full Leeds Festival line-up.

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