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Here you’ll find a list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, starting with what not to do.

If you intend to come here and steal or cause trouble, the best advice is don't. There will be an increased police presence and not all officers will be in uniform. We take a firm line on thieves and trouble makers – most of your festival could be spent with us, well away from any music.

If you haven’t got an official Festival ticket, don’t risk all your cash buying one outside the venue. We saw loads of people tricked last year – they never got in and were left out-of-pocket. Our advice is to forget this year’s event and, as soon as the Festival is finished, there will most likely be an opportunity to buy an official ticket for next year’s event on the official websites.

Don’t bring unlawful drugs. Drug taking or dealing will be dealt with robustly. Cannabis, by the way, is still illegal. For those who bring drugs, before you even get into the campsite, there are a number of drug amnesty bins at the entrance to the site and arena. Failing to take advantage of this opportunity may lead to you being searched, arrested and spending most of the festival with the police.

Buying drugs at the festival is a waste of time. A number of people that we arrested at last year’s event were selling vitamin pills, herbs or innocent powders as the hard stuff. So, you’d be spending £50 for nothing. And, if you get caught trying to trick others like this, then it’s fraud. This may lead to you being searched, arrested and missing out on the music.

There’s a growing trend where a minority of people act like complete idiots on the final night – burning stuff, throwing things around, and being disorderly. We will not tolerate it. Please read the rules about fires (opens new window) during the festival. We strongly advise that you don’t get involved in this sort of behaviour.

The ‘do’ stuff

Make sure you read the Reading Festival 2010 website (opens new window) and also take a look at the Festival Republic website (opens new window). They have loads of tips and advice to ensure you have the best time here.

Before you leave home, do take time to record the serial numbers and descriptions of all the valuables you want to take. Enter all details at the Immobilise website (opens new window). If we find anything, we can get it back to you. If it’s been stolen, it’ll help bring the offender to justice. If it gets handed in, then staff at the Festival will use this site to return it to you. Make sure that your contact number on Immobilise is your home phone number so, if you lose your mobile, at least we can tell someone back at home. We can tell them where you should go to get it back.

Get to know your camping neighbours and look out for each others’ tents. Get to know where your tent is located so you can return to it at night.

Be as sensible as you would be in your home town. Stay with your friends. Don’t wander off alone unless you have to and have told one of your mates where you’re going. Just to reassure you, we receive very few reports of sexual assault. By following the above advice, you can help yourselves be safe.

Follow our advice about using a lanyard to attach your mobile, camera and wallet to you. It'll completely ruin your festival experience if you lose your possessions or have something stolen.

Bring a small torch, like the ones you can fit to a key ring. The torch will help you get back to your tent at night without tripping over a guy rope and getting injured.

Make sure you sleep with your valuables. Literally chuck them into the sleeping bag with you. Why should I sleep with my valuables?

If you need to go off-site to the local shops or banks, do go with a friend. Last year, we had a few reports of people being robbed of their wallets off-site. This year, we’ll have more police officers outside the festival site. Don’t go off-site if you’re drunk – it’d be easier for someone to pick you to steal from.

Do consider others. Last year, people got carried away, burnt tents and caused trouble. You wouldn’t do this at home, so don’t here. Just think how useful a tent can be to someone who really needs it. If you don’t want to take your kit home, pack it up and hand it in to one of the tent donation drop-off points located around the Festival site. Give, don’t burn!

And finally... Do enjoy yourself. Do speak to the police – we won’t bite. And do respect us if we ask you to do something, even if you’re a bit tipsy.