Despite trying their best to ruin the fun, West Yorkshire Police yesterday told reporters they have reluctantly decided not to challenge the granting of a licence for the Carling Leeds Festival. Police are still concerned there might be a repeat of last year's violence at the event despite the change of location and £250,000 of extra security measures. But police bosses have decided they would be better off spending their time working with Mean Fiddler on improving security rather than engaging in what might be an unsuccessful attempt to have the festival's licence revoked.
A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "The force continues to have serious concerns that public safety cannot be guaranteed at an event that now has a well established culture of disorder. Responsibility for the health and safety of those attending rests with the organisers, however the force is responsible to the wider community in the area. Therefore West Yorkshire Police feels it must work with Leeds City Council and the organisers to ensure that every opportunity is taken to prevent a reoccurrence of previous disorder."
New security measures include non-combustible toilets, and improved lighting and campsite facilities. Campfires have been banned. Around 700 security staff will be on duty over the weekend, with 400 working on the Sunday night - double the number last year.