Metal music fans heading to the mosh pits of Download festival this weekend are being urged to put their wearable technology into airplane mode to avoid making accidental 999 calls. Over a routine weekend, Leicestershire Police handles about 600 emergency calls, and a further 800 calls to 101. But when Donington Park hosts the three-day rock festival, this can leap up by almost 700 calls as people's bodyworn devices such as smart watches "assume they have been in a collision". The "significant increase" in calls places a huge burden on handlers and can take resources away from genuine emergencies, the force said. People attending the festival, headlined by Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn, are being asked to put their devices into airplane mode before entering mosh pits. Each call to 999 has to be assessed, police said, so people who do make unwanted 999 calls are asked to stay on the line to confirm they are safe. A spokesperson said: "All calls had to be assessed, with three outbound call attempts completed to ensure there is no threat, risk or harm, taking our contact handlers away from answering true emergency calls." Gates to campsites at Donington Park, near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, opened on Wednesday ahead of the three-day event over the weekend. Festival organisers saidthey expected to host about 75,000 rock fans. Follow BBC Leicester onFacebook, onX, or onInstagram. Send your story ideas toeastmidsnews@bbc.co.ukor viaWhatsAppon 0808 100 2210.
Download mosh pits may cause hundreds of 999 calls
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"Leicestershire Police Warn Download Festival Attendees to Avoid Accidental 999 Calls"
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Download festival, known for its vibrant mosh pits and heavy metal performances, is set to draw around 75,000 fans to Donington Park this weekend. However, Leicestershire Police are cautioning attendees about the potential for accidental emergency calls due to wearable technology. During a typical weekend, the police handle approximately 600 emergency calls, alongside an additional 800 non-emergency calls to 101. Yet, with the influx of festival-goers, the number of emergency calls can surge by nearly 700, as smart watches and other body-worn devices mistakenly register collisions in the chaotic mosh pit environment. This unintended spike in calls can significantly strain police resources, diverting attention from actual emergencies that may arise during the festival. As a preventive measure, festival organizers and police are urging attendees to switch their devices to airplane mode before entering the mosh pits to minimize these disruptions.
The police emphasized the challenges posed by these accidental calls, stating that each 999 call must be thoroughly assessed. This process includes making three outbound attempts to confirm the safety of the caller, which further stretches the capabilities of emergency contact handlers. The festival, which features headlining acts such as Green Day, Sleep Token, and Korn, opened its gates to campers earlier this week, and the police are preparing for a busy weekend. They reiterated that anyone who accidentally triggers a 999 call should remain on the line to clarify their safety status. Such measures are critical in ensuring that emergency services can remain available for those in genuine need, especially during high-attendance events like the Download festival. The police's proactive communication aims to ensure both safety and enjoyment for all festival participants.
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