ORGANISERS of T in the Park, Scotland’s biggest music festival, say they are in discussions to make its campsite adults-only when it returns next year.
The move comes after two teenagers died at T in the Park in 2016 before any acts took to the stage. Peter McCallum and Megan Bell, both 17, died in the campsite in what were reportedly drug-related incidents.
Police also launched a rape investigation at the festival last year following an attack on an 18-year-old, while a cash machine containing a "significant’’ amount of money was stolen from the main arena.
Organisers DF Concerts announced in November that T in the Park is to “take a break” in 2017 in a bid to resolve issues around its recent move to a new site in Perthshire.
Geoff Ellis, chief executive of DF Concerts & Events, said: “We’re still at the early stages of planning and one of the discussions we’ve had is whether or not to make the campsite 18-plus.”
It is understood no discussions are taking place on restricting the entry of under-18s to the main festival arena. The festival has an open age policy, with under 18s having to be accompanied by someone over 21.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday, Ellis said: “What we have seen in recent years is more 16 and 17-year-olds going a bit crazy. So let’s make the campsite over 18 going forward.
“It does mean families can’t come to the event like they have done traditionally since 1994. But that is something we have to do.
“You do all you can when you are organising an event to try and keep people safe. You work closely with the police and the authorities to try and manage audience behaviour. Generally most people do behave themselves, aren’t getting drunk or taking drugs.
This summer’s traditional T in the Park July dates will see the non-camping TRNSMT Festival, staged by DF Concerts, take place in Glasgow.
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