PFD report

Anya Lily Buckley · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 19 Jan 2021•West Yorkshire Eastern

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

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Concerns
3

Raised in this report

Recipients
3

Named on the report

Responses found
2

Of 3 recipients

Stated actions
16

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised3

  1. Availability of illicit drugs at festivals
  2. Admission of 16-17-year-olds without adult supervision
  3. Exposure of potentially vulnerable young people to available illicit drugs
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.7

  1. Action

    Obtain specialist medical advice about whether additional facilities are required for drug-related admissions.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  2. Action

    Appoint an agency to create age-appropriate drug and safety messaging, animations and social-media communications.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  3. Action

    Host and participate in a Festival S-Map Group addressing drug harm reduction and audience safety communication.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.3

  1. Position

    Existing event planning, drug controls, searching, medical, welfare, safeguarding and security arrangements adequately protect attendees and show no failure to take reasonable care.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Availability of illicit drugs at festivals

Wider context from the report

“(1) Young people aged 16-17 are admitted to the Leeds Festival without any adult supervision. (2) Illicit drugs are a fact of life at festivals such as this, despite the efforts made by the organiser to prevent them getting in, and to treat those who are harmed by them. The infrastructure of drug searches and medical resources testifies to this. (3) The mixture of potentially vulnerable young people and available illicit drugs creates a tempting situation for the excited teenagers and exposes them to the potential harm which illicit drugs can inflict. (4) As teenagers aged 16-17 are not legally permitted to be in public houses or night clubs, it seems anomalous that they should be free to spend the while night in an environment where illicit drugs and alcohol are prevalent. (5) Evidence was given at Inquest by Miss Buckley's mother that entry should be restricted to people under the age of 18. In fairness, evidence was also given in relation to: a) the difficulty of checking age, and b) the possibility that young people will search for excitement elsewhere if they cannot attend well-organised festivals and the casualty rate of those adversely affected by drugs is low when set against the huge numbers of young people attending. (6) As Leeds City Council licenses the Leeds Festival, it is for them to consider whether admitting 16-17 year old teenagers into the festival (when they are not permitted in other licensed premises) amounts to an abdication of responsibility in relation to impressionable and potentially vulnerable teenagers. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Admission of 16-17-year-olds without adult supervision

Wider context from the report

“(1) Young people aged 16-17 are admitted to the Leeds Festival without any adult supervision. (2) Illicit drugs are a fact of life at festivals such as this, despite the efforts made by the organiser to prevent them getting in, and to treat those who are harmed by them. The infrastructure of drug searches and medical resources testifies to this. (3) The mixture of potentially vulnerable young people and available illicit drugs creates a tempting situation for the excited teenagers and exposes them to the potential harm which illicit drugs can inflict. (4) As teenagers aged 16-17 are not legally permitted to be in public houses or night clubs, it seems anomalous that they should be free to spend the while night in an environment where illicit drugs and alcohol are prevalent. (5) Evidence was given at Inquest by Miss Buckley's mother that entry should be restricted to people under the age of 18. In fairness, evidence was also given in relation to: a) the difficulty of checking age, and b) the possibility that young people will search for excitement elsewhere if they cannot attend well-organised festivals and the casualty rate of those adversely affected by drugs is low when set against the huge numbers of young people attending. (6) As Leeds City Council licenses the Leeds Festival, it is for them to consider whether admitting 16-17 year old teenagers into the festival (when they are not permitted in other licensed premises) amounts to an abdication of responsibility in relation to impressionable and potentially vulnerable teenagers. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Exposure of potentially vulnerable young people to available illicit drugs

Wider context from the report

“(1) Young people aged 16-17 are admitted to the Leeds Festival without any adult supervision. (2) Illicit drugs are a fact of life at festivals such as this, despite the efforts made by the organiser to prevent them getting in, and to treat those who are harmed by them. The infrastructure of drug searches and medical resources testifies to this. (3) The mixture of potentially vulnerable young people and available illicit drugs creates a tempting situation for the excited teenagers and exposes them to the potential harm which illicit drugs can inflict. (4) As teenagers aged 16-17 are not legally permitted to be in public houses or night clubs, it seems anomalous that they should be free to spend the while night in an environment where illicit drugs and alcohol are prevalent. (5) Evidence was given at Inquest by Miss Buckley's mother that entry should be restricted to people under the age of 18. In fairness, evidence was also given in relation to: a) the difficulty of checking age, and b) the possibility that young people will search for excitement elsewhere if they cannot attend well-organised festivals and the casualty rate of those adversely affected by drugs is low when set against the huge numbers of young people attending. (6) As Leeds City Council licenses the Leeds Festival, it is for them to consider whether admitting 16-17 year old teenagers into the festival (when they are not permitted in other licensed premises) amounts to an abdication of responsibility in relation to impressionable and potentially vulnerable teenagers. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Obtain specialist medical advice about whether additional facilities are required for drug-related admissions.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Specialist medical advice will be obtained to establish whether or not further facilities are required for treatment of drug related admissions.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Appoint an agency to create age-appropriate drug and safety messaging, animations and social-media communications.

Verbatim wording from the response

“representatives from Festival Republic, Leeds City Council, Reading Borough Council, the Police, Forward Leeds and a leading Child Clinician. The purpose of the Group is to discuss harm reduction campaigns and how best to communicate with and educate Festival audiences regarding drugs and overall safety, both pre event and during events. It will focus on campaigns and safety messaging which can be used in conjunction with and at Leeds and Reading Festivals. Research and findings from engagement with young people will be fed into the Group and there will be resource and input from the existing Responsible Drinking Programme. An agency will be appointed to advise upon and create messaging / animations/ communications across social media platforms and apps appropriate to all age groups.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Host and participate in a Festival S-Map Group addressing drug harm reduction and audience safety communication.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Our Clients will host and participate in a Festival S-Map Group which is to hold its first meeting on 28 April 2021. This will be a working group hosted by Festival Republic, including”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 3 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Introduce separate, clearly signed arena drugs advisory and welfare points with younger staff.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Stand alone drugs advisory points and welfare points will be introduced into the arena, rather than being part of combined service points, to make them more accessible and user friendly. These will be clearly signed and they will have some younger staff to enhance peer to peer communication.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Carefully assess the Event Management Plan through the Safety Advisory Group to verify safeguarding, drug prevention and medical provisions.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The Event Management Plan (EMP) will be carefully considered through the Safety Advisory Group process for all relevant agencies to be satisfied with the safeguarding, drug prevention and medical provisions at the Festival;”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Leeds-City-Council-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Use the Safety Advisory Group process after the 2021 festival to measure the effectiveness of additional welfare and safeguarding measures and inform future arrangements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Following the 2021 festival, the Safety Advisory Group process will be used to measure the effectiveness of additional welfare and safeguarding measures and future arrangements going forward, which could include, if necessary, consideration of an age restriction of attendees.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Leeds-City-Council-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Establish a Leeds Festival Safety Advisory Group subgroup to review education, welfare, safeguarding, drug prevention, voluntary testing, attendee demographics and protection of minors.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• A sub group of the Safety Advisory Group process, specific to the Leeds Festival, will be set up to consider education, welfare and safeguarding, and in particular:”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Leeds-City-Council-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing event planning, drug controls, searching, medical, welfare, safeguarding and security arrangements adequately protect attendees and show no failure to take reasonable care.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Leeds Festival is a properly authorised and regulated event with a raft of measures to protect persons of every age who attend the Festival, these include:”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 3 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Requiring 16- and 17-year-olds to attend only with adult supervision would have been futile because adults could have accompanied the drug-supplying gang.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In the Regulation 28 Report, it is suggested that the entry to Leeds Festival for persons aged 16 and 17 should be restricted.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 2 · response
Published 26 January 2021

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Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

An age restriction is not required by legislation or national guidance and might not have prevented attendance.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The licensing of festivals is dealt with by councils within a statutory framework. The Premises Licence for the festival was granted pursuant to the Licensing Act 2003. To limit the age range of attendees at a festival would require a condition to be attached to the licence. This could be by consent, or otherwise could arise from a review of the licence through application of a responsible authority. If a licence holder were to disagree with a condition there is a process to follow including a hearing, with a right of appeal to the Magistrates’ Court.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Leeds-City-Council-Redacted
Page 1 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.9

  1. 1

    Conduct ongoing specific reviews of safeguarding plans within event management planning meetings.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  2. 2

    Improve campsite safe-hub signage and usability for younger audience members.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  3. 3

    Participate in Leeds City Council’s multi-agency working group and related safety planning discussions.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  4. 4

    Review medical provision in campsites.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  5. 5

    Review drinking-water facilities.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  6. 6

    Implement wristbands to identify under-18 attendees more quickly.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  7. 7

    Feed the Regulation 28 concerns into internal planning for future festivals.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  8. 8

    Establish and convene a multi-agency working group to consider the Regulation 28 concerns and festival safety measures.

    Stated by Leeds City CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
  9. 9

    Provide the joint partnership with information on local and national drug education in schools and consider whether representations should support expanded education.

    Stated by Leeds City CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.

Recipient positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when they do not describe a specific action.2

  1. 1

    Banning everyone under 18 from attending would be disproportionate because the evidence does not support that restriction.

    Stated by Festival Republic Limited, Live Nation Entertainment PLC andDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
  2. 2

    Existing welfare and safety provisions, alongside planned improvements, are considered the appropriate response for all festival attendees.

    Stated by Leeds City CouncilExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Conduct ongoing specific reviews of safeguarding plans within event management planning meetings.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Our Clients will commit to an ongoing specific review of their Safeguarding Plans within the Event Management Planning Meetings which are already part of the planning process.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 3 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Improve campsite safe-hub signage and usability for younger audience members.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The safe hubs on the campsites will have improved signage and again, these will be made more user friendly for younger members of the audience.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Participate in Leeds City Council’s multi-agency working group and related safety planning discussions.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition, our Clients have liaised with Leeds City Council and fully participated in discussions with the Council, the Police and other Relevant Agencies which began on 9 February 2020. A Working Group was formed by Leeds City Council and meetings of the Working Group and the Licensing Committee of the Council have taken place with further discussions and correspondence also taking place at officer level.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 3 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review medical provision in campsites.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Medical provision will be reviewed and increased in the campsites as necessary.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review drinking-water facilities.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• A review of the drinking water facilities will take place and enhanced as necessary.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Implement wristbands to identify under-18 attendees more quickly.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• A system of wrist bands for under 18 year olds will be implemented so they can be identified more easily and quickly.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Feed the Regulation 28 concerns into internal planning for future festivals.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Our Clients are not complacent and following receipt of the Regulation 28 Report our Clients fed the concerns which are expressed in it into their internal planning for Festivals.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 3 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Establish and convene a multi-agency working group to consider the Regulation 28 concerns and festival safety measures.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Upon receipt of the Regulation 28 report the Licensing Committee immediately set up a working group with key stakeholders, Festival Republic and the parent of Anya invited to take part.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Leeds-City-Council-Redacted
Page 1 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Provide the joint partnership with information on local and national drug education in schools and consider whether representations should support expanded education.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The joint partnership /working group with LCC, Public Health, Forward Leeds and Reading counterparts to be provided with information on drug education in schools at a local and national level and to consider, if appropriate, if representations can be considered for this to be expanded on;”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Leeds-City-Council-Redacted
Page 4 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Banning everyone under 18 from attending would be disproportionate because the evidence does not support that restriction.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Further, our Clients consider that a ban on all persons under 18 attending Leeds Festival would be a disproportionate reaction to the death. The evidence does not support such a conclusion and from our Clients’ discussions they do not believe that such a proposition is supported by the Licensing Authority, the Police or other Responsible Authorities.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Festival-and-Event-Solutions-Ltd-Redacted
Page 2 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing welfare and safety provisions, alongside planned improvements, are considered the appropriate response for all festival attendees.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Licensing Committee recognised that Festival Republic have worked with LCC since they were first given the premises licence to hold the event. The Committee acknowledged that there were already a number of welfare provisions in place.”

Source location

2021-0014-Response-from-Leeds-City-Council-Redacted
Page 2 · response
Published 26 January 2021

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026