David Celino
21 Aug 2023 · Coroner Kevin McLoughlin · West Yorkshire (Eastern)
This report repeats 1 earlier warning. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. inaccurate information about under 18 attendees
“Neither the organiser of the festival (Festival Republic) nor Leeds City Council which licenced the event had accurate information about the number of people under 18 who were attending the festival”
2. annual drug related deaths at music festivals
“It was said in the course of the evidence that some 4-5 people die annually from illicit drug related causes at the various music festivals held in Britain”
3. inability to assess under 18 drug related casualties proportion
“Without reliable numbers, it is not possible to interrogate the data or establish what proportion of the drug related casualties belong to the under 18 cohort of attendees”
4. deterrent measures insufficient to prevent drug supply
“The history of drug related deaths amongst teenagers at the Leeds Festival in recent years has prompted the organiser to explore a greater emphasis on deterrent measures”
5. lack of staff intervention during adverse drug reaction
“Evidence at the inquest indicated [the deceased] had walked about the Leeds Festival site between approximately 7pm and 8.45pm on the evening of Saturday 27 August 2022”
6. lack of authoritative guidance on front of house drug testing
“Various witnesses raised the issue of”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“Young people aged 16-17 are admitted to the Leeds Festival without any adult supervision.”
This report
“Neither the organiser of the festival (Festival Republic) nor Leeds City Council which licenced the event had accurate information about the number of people under 18 who were attending the festival.”