Towards an ‘FR’ Model for Reducing Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour at Live Events and Festivals: Project Report: Evaluating Policy Impact: Observing crowd behavioural shifts at Reading Festival, 2000-2024

This report explores the impact of policy interventions and social/cultural factors on crowd behaviour at Reading Festival from 2000 to 2024, examining how crime and antisocial behaviour have evolved over time. While measures such as eviction policies, safeguarding, fire bans, and inclusivity campaigns like #LookOutForEachother have had positive effects, perceived gaps remain in security enforcement and drug prevention. Social and environmental factors, including media portrayals and festival culture shifts, have also played a role in changing attendee behaviour.
The study also introduces Evaluative Performance as an innovative arts-based approach to policy evaluation, offering a human-centred way to engage with research findings and amplify lived experiences.
Additionally, the report presents the "FR Model", a best-practice framework for festival management that focuses on proactive risk mitigation, integrated security, community-led interventions, and adaptive policymaking.
Ultimately, this report highlights the ongoing need for dynamic festival policies that maintain safety while preserving festival culture and demonstrates the potential of arts-based methodologies to enhance policy evaluation and impact.