POLICE and security in attendance at the Forbidden Forest Festival have addressed claims that a man died during an altercation with security guards at the event.
Leicestershire Police have confirmed that no deaths were reported at the festival amid rumours that two people had died, but did reveal that one 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with drug-related offences.
The festival, which took place in the grounds of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire between Thursday and Monday, saw a brawl break out between the suspect and security offers after he “assaulted” a member of staff.
Video circulating on social media shows a young man fighting with groups of security guards at the event – which sparked the rumours that security “battered” the lad to death and “dumped him in a bush”.
Rampant claims were made which saw security guards blamed for several heinous acts, all of which have since been proven false.
Police were called to the festival site on Saturday to intervene in an escalating situation, receiving reports of man on site committing drug related offences.
When the suspect was approached by festival security, he allegedly became aggressive and assaulted a member of staff.
Upon the arrival of the police, the man was arrested and taken into custody, but suffered a “medical episode” as they attempted to leave the site.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital where he was later discharged after receiving treatment.
Following further investigation, an unidentified 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply drugs and one count of assault.
The Leicestershire Police reiterated that no deaths had been caused at the festival.
Security firm, Compact Security Services, have also addressed the claims made by social media users about their staff.
The video footage of an altercation between a number of security staff members and the young man was shared widely on social media on Monday.
The footage was captioned: “Forbidden Forest Festival.” and was accompanied by photos of messages and comments claiming security staff “battered a lad to death”.
The post received over 6,100 likes and more than 120 comments from social media users who were left appalled by the alleged crime.
One user said: “Rest in peace, this is so sad. No one should ever go to a rave or festival or any event for that matter and never return home.
“My condolences go to the family and close ones who are suffering x”
Another added: “Bottom of the barrel type of people. Doormen / bouncers.”
A third wrote: “Sincerely hope the reported deaths are false, regardless this sort of heavy-handed security should have no place anywhere, completely over the top and hope companies can review their policies.”
Another replied: “A load of s***e that, there’s no way security have filled someone in and left them to die.”
Speaking yesterday a Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: “Around 5:40pm on Saturday 1 June, police in the area received a report of a man at the event suspected of committing a drugs offence.
“As security guards attended to the man, he is reported to have become aggressive and assaulted a member of staff.
“Officers arrested the man and as they attempted to leave the site, he suffered a medical episode.
“Paramedics at the festival attended and the man was taken to hospital. He has since been discharged.
“Following further enquiries, a 24-year-old man has been charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply drugs and one count of assault.
“No deaths have been reported to have occurred at the festival.”
Speaking yesterday a spokesperson for Compact Security Services commented: “There are a few videos and claims which have surfaced on social media involving the security team where restraint was used to control the situation to a safe conclusion.
“Our security plan is always geared around providing a safe environment for event goers and doing so in a reasonable and proportionate way.”
