Adults-only at T in the Park campsite

Music: Move follows deaths of two 17-year-olds

Organisers of Scotland’s biggest music festival say they are in discussions to make its campsite adultsonly when it returns next year.

The move comes after two teenagers died at T in the Park in 2016 before any acts took to the stage.

Peter McCallum and Megan Bell, both 17, died in the campsite in what were reportedly drug-related incidents.

Police also launched a rape investigation at the festival last year following an attack on an 18-year-old, while a cash machine containing a “significant” amount of cash was stolen from the main arena.

Organisers DF Concerts announced in November that T in the Park is to “take a break” in 2017 to resolve Hip-hop and grime artist Stormzy has been added to the bill for this summer’s TRNSMT festival.

The Croydon MC joins the line-up on Glasgow Green on Saturday, July 8, of Kasabian, Catfish and the Bottlemen, George Ezra, The Kooks and issues around its recent move to a new site in Perthshire. Geoff Ellis, chief executive of DF Concerts & Events, said: “We’re still at the early stages of planning and one of the discussions we’ve had is whether or not to make the campsite 18plus.”

It is understood no discussions are taking place on restricting the entry of Circa Waves. The threeday festival will feature Radiohead, Belle and Sebastian, London Grammar and Rag‘n’Bone Man on Friday, July 7.

On the final day, July 9, Biffy Clyro, The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club, Twin Atlantic and Blossoms will be on. under-18s to the main festival arena. The festival has an open age policy, with under 18s having to be accompanied by someone over 21. Speaking yesterday Mr Ellis said: “What we have seen in recent years are more 16 and 17-year-olds going a bit crazy.

“So let’s make the campsite over-18. It does mean families can’t come to the event like they have done traditionally since 1994. But that is something we have to do.

“You do all you can when you are organising an event to try and keep people safe. You work closely with the police and the authorities to try and manage audience behaviour.

“Generally most people do behave themselves, aren’t getting drunk or taking drugs.

“That’s how most festivals are. But obviously you have issues to deal with and they are at every single nightclub and pub.

“T in the Park has been a rite of passage since 1994 but the core attendance has always been between 18 and 24. The reasons we have taken a year out is to solve the issues placed upon us because of the planning consent.”