Glastonbury Festival attendees could collectively lose or damage mobile phones worth a staggering £22 million, warns mobile phone recycling experts Compare and Recycle. Their research predicts that around 46,200 people — roughly the size of Yeovil’s population — may experience phone loss or damage during the event next week.
According to the company’s survey, 11% of festival-goers have had a phone stolen or lost at a festival before, while another 11% have damaged their phones in similar settings. With an expected crowd of approximately 210,000, this implies that nearly one in five attendees could face broken or missing phones.
Antonia Hristov, Head of Marketing at Compare and Recycle, advises festival participants to avoid placing their phones in easily accessible places like back pockets, particularly in dense crowds where theft or accidental drops are common. “You might not even notice if someone tries to steal your phone or if it falls out when you’re jostled,” she explains.
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To safeguard devices, Antonia recommends using phone leashes or lanyards, and running belts that can discreetly hold phones under clothing—keeping them secure and out of sight.
Securing phone insurance is another wise precaution. Accidents at festivals, such as dropping a phone in mud or having it stepped on, are common. While there isn’t a specific “festival insurance,” normal mobile insurance policies often cover loss, theft, or damage incurred at such events, ensuring your festival experience isn’t dampened by unexpected costs.
For those unwilling to risk their high-end smartphones, Antonia suggests bringing a basic “burner” phone, like an old Nokia, to handle essential calls and texts without anxiety over damage or theft.
Glastonbury Festival is scheduled from Wednesday, June 25 to Sunday, June 29, with live coverage available via the BBC.