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For the first time, the police in Leicestershire are using Facebook to offer crime prevention advice to people planning to go to this year’s Download music festival.

Up to 80,000 people are expected to visit the three day event at Donington Park in North West Leicestershire between 12th and 14th June 2009.  Last year, 314 crimes were reported to the police during the festival, compared to 322 the year before.  73 tents were broken into on the first night alone and incidents of theft from cars and tents made up 80% of all crime committed during last year’s festival.  21 people were arrested during the festival – 7 of them for theft and two people were deported

DC Kev Walker said; “Visitors to Download come from all over the country so we wanted to find a way of getting a message to festival goers about the security of their belongings before they come to the festival.

“Facebook is an ideal way of doing that, because people can log on from anywhere in the country. A lot of young people will be coming to the festival many of whom use the forums on the Download website to swap information and stories.  We have a section on that website too but people can log onto Face book and search for ‘Leicestershire Police and Download Festival’ and become a friend, that way they will get all the latest information from us to help them have a safe and happy festival.”

“We are also using a text number and dedicated email address to encourage people to provide us with information which might help us in the policing of the event.

“We want people to come to the festival and have great time, we don’t want them to have their stuff stolen so our message is really simple, please leave valuable items at home or use the onsite security lockers and we’re urging those people who arrive by car not to leave their belongings on display or their vehicle unlocked.”

Download Crime Prevention Advice;

•    Use the on-site lockers for your personal belongings; don’t leave anything in your tent when you are not in it.  You can either book a locker in advance through your ticket provider or buy one when you arrive for £5.
•    If you can’t take your valuables with you when you leave the tent, leave them at home.
•    Put money, tickets, credit cards and mobile phones in a zipped pocket or use a money belt.
•    Do not bring large sums of cash. Only bring what you need and keep it on you at all times.
•    Postcode the property you do bring to Download so that it is identifiable.
•    If you arrive by car, don’t leave anything on display in your vehicle including sat navs, car stereos, CDs or mobile phones.  Don’t put items in your glove box or the boot, this is the first place a thief will look.  Take everything with you or leave it at home.

Anyone with information can text ‘police’ and then their message to 86688 or email downloadfestival.intel@leicestershire.pnn.co.uk or log on to Facebook and search for Leicestershire Police and Download Festival.