artists

Do the sniffer dogs really come into your tent? Can they do that while your not there?

NO! where the f*** did u get that one from?

altho if a policeman was wandering around the campsite (which is, by the way, very unlikely unless they were specifically looking for someone)with a sniffer dog and it went balistic around a tent im afraid they wouldnt wander off and forget it, they would wait patiently for your return and ask nicely if you had anything in your tent that could be illegal, and yes in fact they could enter your tent if you refused permission because they have grounds to suspect illegal drugs but if your daft enough to leave yer stash in yer tent while your off enjoying the entertainment then id say your asking for bother. If you do decide to partake in party enhancers of any sort then use common sense when at the festival.

After all the reports coming in about a big rise in thefts from tents by organised gangs (apprently from the manchester area) blighting festivals right across the country and going on theiving sprees im happy enough for the police to be around and hopefully the security will be extra vigilant, along with folks themselves being sensible about their valuables

Do the sniffer dogs really come into your tent? Can they do that while your not there?

NO! where the f*** did u get that one from?

altho if a policeman was wandering around the campsite (which is, by the way, very unlikely unless they were specifically looking for someone)with a sniffer dog and it went balistic around a tent im afraid they wouldnt wander off and forget it, they would wait patiently for your return and ask nicely if you had anything in your tent that could be illegal, and yes in fact they could enter your tent if you refused permission because they have grounds to suspect illegal drugs but if your daft enough to leave yer stash in yer tent while your off enjoying the entertainment then id say your asking for bother. If you do decide to partake in party enhancers of any sort then use common sense when at the festival.

After all the reports coming in about a big rise in thefts from tents by organised gangs (apprently from the manchester area) blighting festivals right across the country and going on theiving sprees im happy enough for the police to be around and hopefully the security will be extra vigilant, along with folks themselves being sensible about their valuables

I read it in one of the earlier posts - I thought it sounded highly unlikely - hence why I questioned it.

Its a double edged sword unfortunately, Wickerman has a great atmosphere and its sad that some folks felt agrieved by the presence of the dogs last year but i think it was random rather than a total stop and search policy by the D&G police and its more down to bad luck than anything else that anyone was caught with anything.

Dont be put off by it though, the contact we had with the law was fine, and they were all smiles and chatting and i for one was happy that theres someone loooking out for our safety and security.

Like i say , if anyone partakes just use yer sense and there shouldnt be any problems.

Maybe D&G police should concentrate their efforts into stopping tent raiders. This is a far bigger problem at the wicker than the odd spliff/pill.

Will there be increased security to tackle the rumored band of nomadic manc thieves?

A rumor came from rock ness that an organized gang of manc tent raiders caused all sorts of mayhem. It used to be the scousers who had a rep for this but since they are all highly cultured now (well at least for 2008), the mancs are flying the scally flag.

But it's good to hear that there are measures being taken to tackle this problem. There are few bigger dampeners on the festival experience than finding your tent destroyed and your possessions nicked.

I will be blunt, there will be tent thefts.. just about every festival so far has been hit by these guys.

Lets face it, anyone can pretty much get into the Wickerman campsite, it's far from secure.

Just keep all valuables on you at all times, sleep with them in your sleeping bag and get to know your neighbours.

There is definately organised gangs from Manchester working all the festivals, links were made to the Rockness thefts and the other festivals that have been targetted.

There was reported problems with Tent thefts at Rockness and Glasto saw a rise as well as others, Its really important that folks are aware of how to protect themselves from opportunist scum but it always amazes me when you hear of folks leaving cash or other valuables in their tent while they go off having fun..in an ideal world it should be able to be done of course but its far from ideal.

There was also a major problem with some tosspots selling what was supposed to be cocaine at glasto that turned out to be far from that, leading to people being carted off in an ambulance (ketamine, or so it appears)So the other warning apart from look after your valuables is NOT to buy anything from anyone you dont know. otherwise your weekend of fun could very well be your last.

The very sniffer dogs that have people up in arms could be the reason that some folks have a safe happy weekend and come home in one piece.

The security will be a lot better than previous years, i dont think the nomadic mancs will make it to Wickerman, they are more likely to be at T in the Park / global gathering. First ive heard of this gang anyway

Its not just the majors Rich, as Paul says it seems to be all and any festival thats being targetted this year, it also seems to be very well organised in what they are stealing...its cash that is being stolen , Cards and wallets are being found dumped but any cash that was in the wallet has gone making it very difficult to prove its stolen if they are found with cash on them.

Tent slashing also seems to be the favoured way of getting access as well..apart from the obvious tactic of opening the tent and "Sorry mate, wrong tent" statement if they find you in there awake.

Yeah Rich having close links with the security at several festivals already this year, I can pretty much guarantee there will be a squad of them at Wickerman..

I hope adequate campsite security, spot checks and police patrols have all been thought out properly and briefed on how these people work.

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/news/080604h.shtm l

Obviously there is a risk of this at any event. I can say there will be better security, an active police presence etc. Not my remit really.

What I do suggest is that you get to know your neighbour, camp in big groups and dont bring anything you arent prepared to lose.If you see anything supiscous, report it, an inncocent man will not mind a wrong accusation

Agreed

Perhaps ask the festival office to post an email out like they have been doing regularly with some good security advice, or leaflets handed out when getting wristbanded.

Alot of people use these forums, alot of us are experienced in what to do at festivals but there is many innocent newbies out there who might appreciate the helpful tips etc..

I possibly wont mind drafting up something to send to thm if you want, I think as many people as possible that are warned about these gangs can only be a good thing.. last thing we all want to see is lots of threads when we come back saying people were robbed etc

Agreed

Perhaps ask the festival office to post an email out like they have been doing regularly with some good security advice, or leaflets handed out when getting wristbanded.

Alot of people use these forums, alot of us are experienced in what to do at festivals but there is many innocent newbies out there who might appreciate the helpful tips etc..

I possibly wont mind drafting up something to send to thm if you want, I think as many people as possible that are warned about these gangs can only be a good thing.. last thing we all want to see is lots of threads when we come back saying people were robbed etc

+1

Then they must have had a reasonable suspicion to do so, the person would of been present (and unlucky)

It's not standard practice to do this and its the first anyone at the festival (or D&G police) have heard about it.

Anyway, myself and Emma were looking at places to honeymoon and fancied morocco, you never did tell us how to get there.

do the sniffer dogs come into your tent? at the risk of taking more abuse because I dare to state an opinion on here- I have to confirm that yes they do- we stood on the hill overlooking the camp site last year and watched them do it!

I havent been abusive towards you and if you say you saw this happen then i believe you,

If someone left some or was using something in their tent as the dog went past then its a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and its really bad luck for those caught but its a chance that is taken....there are police at all festivals and if D&G decide to use sniffers then what is anyone supposed to do about it?..If you decide not to attend then so be it, choose somewhere else to go, if you decide to attend AND carry something on site then you know that there is a chance you will be stopped, simple as that.

If anyone has a problem with D&G police and their drug policy im sure the best folks to speak to are D&G police. Tell them you think its wrong and its spoiling your fun and could they please not attend with their dogs. It would probably get the same response as if the festival office asked the same question...Not a chance!...so whats the point of banging on about it?

Oh and edit to say: Altho i dont partake in anything ive no probs whasoever with folks having fun at festivals, If thats what you wanna do, its fine by me and i support you in your belief that its up to you.

I also recognise that as it stands its against the law and there are penalties if you are caught, so if you choose to knowingly break the law then you must be prepared for the fall-out

Quick answer to this: Yes, of course.

They're practising already:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotl and/7408080.stm

by the way, the dogs don't "go ballistic" when they smell something, they just sit down next to you in a very cool & collected way.