I predict a riot - and an Asbo for music yobs - Music - Arts - Evening Standard
       

I predict a riot - and an Asbo for music yobs

Troublemakers at this weekend's Reading Festival could land themselves with a criminal first - a festival Asbo.

Organisers say anyone starting large bonfires, pelting staff with missiles or throwing gas canisters and aerosols on fires could face action.

Those caught will receive a lifetime ban to all Mean Fiddler events - including the Glastonbury and Download festivals. This comes after one festivalgoer was permanently disfigured last year as a result of a gas canister being thrown on a fire.

Widespread campsite rioting on the final night also marred last year's event at Reading.

Rapper 50 Cent and main stage security staff were hit by bottles at the 2004 festival after his G Unit stage act proved unpopular.

Melvin Benn, director of festival organiser Mean Fiddler, said: "Last year's festival was a fantastic success musically and for almost all of the weekend but was marred by some foolish behaviour from some fans.

"We held a number of festival forums after last year's festival to get feedback about how we could improve things, particularly in the campsites."

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