Archived on 6/5/2022

Lack of safety / security at Crystal Palace funfair

FashionClearance
24 Oct '19

Ok, so I’m probably going to rant a bit here.Apologies in advance but I’m so sick of not being able to enjoy local attractions safely anymore!

Tonight, I took my seven year old son, and two of his friends for the wrist band event at Crystal Palace funfair from 5pm-8pm.
We were looking forward to the dodgems and freshly cooked donuts! The lights , music and action of being at the fair after dark…boy did we get more than we bargained for !

It was utter chaos and akin to something you would see in a war zone movie!

The madness began around 6.30.We had probably arrived just before this.

At first I heard fireworks being set off, in the not so far distance and the teenagers at the fair began acting a bit shady, running around. It seemed as though they were running from said fireworks, but
I was told by the stewards they were outside of the grounds, we were safe.
So I reassured the kids and off we headed to the merry go round in the quieter spot.
3 rounds later and a little dizzy, the kids wanted off and some relief catching overpriced ducks with a hook- fair enough.
So £20 later and with some tat for toys , we headed to the doughnuts stand.
We placed our order, and a few minuets later , a steward came by and shouted at the kiosk worker that she should “shut down and what was she still doing open ?”. I thought , well for £10 for 5 tiny ring sized doughnuts , I have an idea … but maybe I’m wrong - so I ask the lady - is there something going on here ?
“Yeah the youths setting off fireworks are in the fairgrounds “.
“Oh… time to go…”I tell the kids.
The dodgems are just behind the stall and as we pass ,the line is short and the kids plead… “can we , can we, can we PLEASE go on them ? “ Admittedly this was where I should have said no - there was a tension in the air and yet those angelic (yeah right) faces that had been stuck indoors all day , due to the horrendous rain , and in fairness had not this far had a good fairground experience (most rides seemed to be shut down , and these boys were no adrenaline junkies) I gave in.
We joined the queue and that’s when it all went south…
There was a huge explosion and the sky crackled and lit up in front of us - people literally abandoned the bumper cars and fled , jumping over the barriers , there was screaming , crying and fleeing , all at once, utter chaos.

Then it all went black. The lights from the surrounding rides all off , par one in the distance giving of this eerie bluish purple glow. And screaming , so much screaming.

A disoriented second later , I’m reaching for the three boys, pulling them over the barricade, one by one trying to stop them from being crushed by the terrified fairgrounders trying to flee.

We head for the exit sharpish, me trying to drill into the kids to stay together , hold hands and not get separated … there’s a huge queue. Full of irate and hysterical teenagers everywhere- talks of youths setting off fireworks at people and that the “security” will not let anybody leave.
I get talking to some other people , apparently there were youths on bikes setting off fireworks from the outside fence , surrounding the fair , into the grounds.
I talk to one of the ride assistants , they tell me that the youths breached the fence and were inside of the grounds , setting them off from different directions.
Then more fireworks are set off and the stampede starts again , people being thrown all over the place, slipping on the mud and crashing through puddles the size of respectable ponds.
No police , no security and no staff to be seen.No order.Par the 4 stewards that are placed around the entrance/ exit.

About 5-10 mins into this mayhem , I approach the stewards at the front.
“I need to get out of here, the kids are terrified, what’s going on ?”
“We have called the police , they are on their way”.
“Is there another exit , I need to go , it’s not safe here and these kids are in danger of being crushed or seriously hurt”.
The steward steps out of the way and tells me to get the kids out of there, I exit through the only entrance/exit and we are nearly halfway out , when my son says “look mummy, that boy has fire”
I look directly in front of me and a youth , maybe 14-16 all in black with what looks like a stick of dynamite :firecracker: stands before us - it’s aiming right at us.
I turn quickly , screaming , pushing the kids back through the gate past the steward , but the child I bring with me is stuck between the gate and the steward- the firework skins past his leg and scrapes him, then BANG !
At this point it’s full on panic mode throughout. We run to the furthest part of the grounds.
An attendant is standing close by and tells us to hide by the twister and stay low.
I tell her we need out of here, they need to open an exit somewhere.
Luckily the boy I am with is not injured, he just says his leg stings a bit.
I call the police myself. Explain what’s happened and that we are stuck in the grounds , I ask for them to send assistance and get us out of there.
They tell me that police are already heading to the scene.
Amongst this, a steward see’s the trauma of the children I am with and gets his head lamp out - tells me to follow him.

He walks us out of a side entrance past the caravans and trucks , whilst telling me that he had been dealing with these youths earlier and chased them off, says one left their bike behind and at least now he has a new bike for his troubles. I’m speechless and just focusing on getting out safely…

We exit at the top end of the hill beside the park and take cover in a local chip bar - kids traumatised.

Youths everywhere , fighting , shouting , fireworks going off, we still do not feel safe and all I can think of is getting these kids home safely and how on earth will I explain these poor boys trauma to their parents.

A police officer calls me half an hour later - asks if the boy I am with is seriously injured - by this time we are just getting in the taxi - I give a few choice words about their response time and lack of care for safety at the grounds - I tell them I have just passed another group of youths across the road with fireworks fighting.I politely hang up as I feel they have more to get on with.

It was horrific. I am sleeping in my sons bed with him tonight. He is very upset.

Now all I can think of is …

What Safety training did the funfair attendants have ?
Why were there not procedures in place to deal with a situation like this , A similar situation happened last year.

Why did they keep on admitting people to the funfair if they were aware of these youths causing havoc ?

Why was there not a police presence - even if just community police ?

Why did the police response time take so long ?

It just seemed like there were no procedures in place for this and given the current climate we live in, with the threat of terror etc , maybe it’s time to call time on such events if they cannot be manned properly.

I appreciate this is not a Forest hill event, but I know many of us travel along to the local funfair when it’s on. I also appreciate this is a very long and ranty post, but I just feel it’s such a shame that local events seem to be ruined by these trouble makers , even if a minority are ruining the fun for others- it’s just sad .

anon27836993
25 Oct '19

Some kids/youth these days have no respect at all and lack discipline!! This spoils it for the good ones. Mind you seeing bad manners from adults don’t help. I don’t like going out much because the majority spoil it and it’s not nice!! When did respect get outdated?? Sorry to hear this made your evening a little stressful, it should of been enjoyable really all the way through all round!!

Beige
25 Oct '19

Why did you remove the long version of your story? I read it and thought it was interesting

anon5422159
25 Oct '19

Really sorry to hear about what happened. Agree with @Beige, the longer version was very interesting. I can restore if you like?

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

Goodmorning Beige ,

Once we got in and I managed to settle my son some what, I just lay in bed with him and began writing - I think as a way to process the evening - I didn’t want it to come off as a lengthy ‘emotional response’ but if it helps to paint a better picture I will have it reinstated.
I’ve emailed friends of Crystal Palace Park, the penge Mp’s and their SNT with the account also.

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

Goodmorning Chris,
I hope your well.
It was not a good experience indeed !
I’m happy for you to reinstate it.

anon5422159
25 Oct '19

Done :+1:

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

It really is such a shame that things like the funfair and community events are targeted by minority groups and a shame that it puts us off attending them. Ive lived locally for 30 years and noticed a real increase in the desire to attend such things for the above reasons. A shame as for the most part we are a pretty decent lot.

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

Cheers Chris - have a lovely weekend.

Beige
25 Oct '19

Totally understand your thoughts, but, for me at least, it didn’t come off that way.

DevonishForester
25 Oct '19

Good questions, but I am not sure who could answer them. These are questions that should be asked by our elected representatives. My suspicion is that what happened would not have happened in some other areas e.g. Hyde Park, because there would be a substantial police presence.

starman
25 Oct '19

I always thought the onus for appropriate and robust security would be on the fun fair organiser, not on the local constabulary. If the local PCs need to police these closed, fee-based events then perhaps those type of events should be reconsidered.

I am so sorry to hear of your horrible experience.

As and adult attending these fun fairs I’ve never felt fully safe so now avoid them.

ForestHull
25 Oct '19

Yes, and I presume security arrangements must be part of the application for a licence to host the fun fair on the public grounds, and so should also have been reviewed and approved by the local council in advance.

Angela_Wilkins
25 Oct '19

So sorry this has happened. The park is in my ‘patch’ - please can you email me: Angela.wilkins@bromley.gov.uk ?

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

Hi Angela,
Hope your well.
Thanks for your response.
I actually emailed you this morning - with all of the above details plus more information surrounding the incidents and what transpired, I also emailed the SNT, Kathy Bance and the friends of Crystal Palace Park.
I got a response from CCP - they have passed the details into IDVerde whom manage the events there , so hopefully they can look into it.
I will re send the email now for you.
Have a nice weekend.

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

Hi Devonish,
In all fairness within 12 hours I have had a response from the friends of Crystal Palace Park and the local MP Angela Wilkins , all willing to look into this. That builds the faith back up a little.
Although not Hyde park , I have always considered myself quite lucky to be so close to Crystal Palace , (along with Hornimans, wells park etc), these are parks that I consider to be London treasures !
Wish the morons with ill intent at these events would picture it the same way and leave well alone !

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

Hey Starman,

All very good points, thanks.

Dough ( you see what I did there) in fairness as an Adult I’m just there for the doughnuts :doughnut:, was the risk worth reward , perhaps not …
I think that new Airthrills place in Catford might be more in our lane for future rainy days!

FashionClearance
25 Oct '19

Hi ForestHull,

It’s a tricky one because initially the youths were on the outside of the grounds causing havoc and continued to do so after at the bus stops and side streets etc , would it be fair to hold them accountable for outside of the event ?
That’s where I think outside overstretched resources come into place such as the police force sadly enough.
I’m glad to hear Sainsbury’s and the likes will not be selling fireworks this year , I wish corner shops and the likes were held to such high standards. Maybe this would help. Again it’s something that inconveniences those who will use them responsibly but would maybe be a deterrent.
But absolutely more should have been put in place by the organisers to ensure public safety - the one entrance/ exit thing almost made us sitting ducks !
Anyway, today’s a new day and we will muster on making new memories and turn this horror story into an adventure for the little guy to return to school with …
The day he and his friends survived the funfair flares !

Angela_Wilkins
25 Oct '19

Many thanks - Apols re email but I was at work and can’t access council emails from there.

I did send the post to Officers though and they are contacting IDVerde urgently.

Will respond to email later.

Many thanks

Angela

GillB
25 Oct '19

I’ve just teasing your post with horror! I thought I was reading about a horror film you had seen recently.
As a family we used to go to Crystal Palace on the 5th Nov for the fair & see the fireworks & we never saw any trouble.
I hope you & the children are feeling less traumatised & you get some serious answers. Those idiots need to be in court ASAP & locked up, along with big fines to pay for the damage they caused. Their parents should be thoroughly ashamed of them.

Anotherjohn
25 Oct '19

Hear, hear!
(I’ve turned into Victor Meldrew!)

Beige
25 Oct '19

I can’t agree with these sentiments… can’t we just do them properly? This would be the few ruining it for the many.

Beige
25 Oct '19

It looks like the fireworks have been cancelled… am I the last to know this? Any link to this?

Anotherjohn
26 Oct '19

You’re right.
It was an angry knee-jerk reaction.
It guess this could have been a one-off steaming incident which would be pretty impossible to police.
The brazen lawlessness of some youngsters today is a real worry for me though.
Oh yeh, and how much of a rip-off are these Fun Fairs now!
(But I’m still a cross between Victor Meldrew and Rupert Rigsby)

ForestHull
26 Oct '19

I don’t think it’s that tricky, the laws on sale and use of fireworks are quite clear:

And specifically:

The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.

Venue security as well as members of the public should have been able to call on the police to check on the troublemakers.

Sadly you are probably right. I think it’s only when calling on the emergency services that people will suddenly realise how bad things have got.

ForestHull
26 Oct '19

8 posts were moved into a new topic: Crystal Palace Firework display

anon27836993
26 Oct '19

Sometimes I appreciate some countries that set rules in place and make sure it is actioned. At least you can still enjoy without such negative issues occurring like that!!

system
25 Dec '19

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