At the UK Festival Awards Conference, Police have warned that criminal gangs may target smaller festivals rather than bigger events such as Glastonbury in 2011. With the larger festivals having heightened security and a strong police presence, gangs may shift their activities to smaller, ‘boutique’ festivals which tend to attract the more affluent.

Most crime at festivals tended to involve thefts from tents and pick pocketing.
Though a level of crime has almost come to be expected at most festivals, the overall rate was low.

Smaller festivals which operate on a much lower budget than their big cousins, simply cannot afford a similar level of security which in theory, makes them more prone to crime.

This years End of the Road Festival which had a capacity 7000 crowd, saw a 100 thefts from tents after years of being crime free. This, the police warned was evidence that criminal gangs were switching to the smaller festival.

One of the problems festivals face is that often the thieves have bought tickets like any other fan and that valuables are left in vulnerable places. This makes it very easy for criminals to steal them. 

Some festivals offered a free lock up for valuables, and as many as 9000 transactions were performed which proves it is a popular idea.