Safety

Please be patient while we carry out our security checks and searches, which take place at the Rally field entrance, and may also happen at any time at any location onsite.

Our security staff are there for your safety. Please co-operate with them as they work to keep us all safe and sound over the Rally weekend. Always go to them if you need help.

The medical tent is fully staffed, open in line with the Rally opening times and located near the Rally field entrance.

The Woodcote Rally is a weekend of fun and enjoyment. We don’t want that experience spoiled by anything happening to you or the things you bring with you, The Rally’s relaxed atmosphere can offer an easy target for criminals. Take the same precautions as you would on any other day/night out. Please read through the advice below and plan ahead.

We don’t accept any discrimination towards any individual or groups of individuals. Irrespective of the background of the individual, be that gender, race, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity. We are proud of the diverse nature of our Rally and its customers so if you see or experience anyone undermining this – no matter the severity – please report it immediately to one of our onsite staff.

Valuables

Put simply: please don’t bring anything you can’t afford to lose.

When walking through the Rally site don’t put money in your back pocket. Use pockets with zips or buy a money belt.

Cash

Don’t carry more money than you need to.

Only bring the bank cards that you need with you. Leave a note of the numbers at home to make cancellation easier if they do go missing.

Mobile Phones and Tablets

There are free apps to track your phone/tablet if it goes missing or gets stolen. Your device is tracked by GPS and can be located online and in some cases be locked remotely. If the phone/device is stolen you can pass this information to the police to help their enquiries.

All Apple devices include an app that can keep track of its whereabouts should it go missing. It can remotely lock your device, display messages, play an alert sound (even if the device is on silent) or even erase all of your personal data at your request. The app needs to be set up in advance, so look out for the ‘Find My…’ app icon on your device to get started.

If using an Android phone, download the ‘AntiDroid theft’ app for free before you arrive. It has features such as GPS tracking, email alerts if the SIM card or number is changed, and even allows you to view the photos taken should your phone go missing. The app is available to download from the Google Play Store.

Marking your device with a UV pen makes it easier for police to identify its owner.

Keep a record of your phone’s unique IMEI number. You can find it by keying in *#06#* on your keypad. This number will help the Police trace ownership quickly. Utilise your phone’s security lock or pin number.

Keep your phone well hidden when you are not using it. Don’t keep it exposed for any longer than needed – especially in crowds when taking photos. There are career criminals who target mobile phones at events such as the Woodcote Rally.

Vehicle Crime

Don’t leave anything valuable in your car, including sat navs, car stereos, cameras, or mobile phones. Leave your glove compartment empty and open so that thieves can see there is nothing inside.

If you do become a victim of crime, or if you see a crime happening, please report it as soon as you can to a member of staff. Information coming in live helps us act quickly.

Try to remember as much as possible so you can report it. Try to remember what clothes they were wearing and any facial features. Make a note of exactly where you are if you can.

If you are reporting the theft of a mobile phone, you will be required to first contact your network provider and have the handset blocked. Before reporting it, visit secretary’s tent. They run the Rally’s lost property service and it may have been handed in.

• Look after yourself, don’t overdo it, and look out for others.
• Remember there is more chance of catching an infection in a field than at home so make sure you use the water points and hand sanitiser stations at the toilet blocks to wash your hands regularly.
• The Woodcote Rally takes place on uneven farmland. Take care, especially after dark. Strong shoes for walking are a good idea – as is a torch after dark.
• Illegal drugs are no more legal onsite than off.
• Give any passing security or emergency vehicles plenty of space to pass and don’t ride on vehicles.
• Serious sunstroke, sunburn or cancer can be caused by the sun on unprotected skin – wear a high factor sun cream.

Any lost property found during the Rally weekend is taken to the secretary’s tent, open throughout the Rally weekend. For any lost property queries please email

In an emergency, please contact the nearest member of security or Rally staff for help.

There are medics at the Rally who are fully equipped to deal with all situations.

Heavily pregnant visitors are advised to make contact with the medical team on arrival at the event to ensure you are aware of services on offer over the weekend. Visitors with medical conditions are similarly advised.

• Decide on a meeting point with your friends. Choose a time and place to meet up later in case you get separated from each other.
• Learn the layout of the Rally site so you can easily find toilets and stewards.
• Keep your phone charged in case you’re separated from your friends.
• Stay hydrated. There are tested drinking water points on the Rally field which are free to use.
• For a full list of what you can’t bring into the campsite, please see our Prohibited Items page.
• Keep your wits about you. Drink responsibly and know your limit.
• Carry a torch with you or enable the torch on your phone to use for when it gets dark.
• Rally stewards are here to help you. Don’t be worried about asking for help in any situation, whether it’s asking for directions or to report something or someone you’re worried about.
• Don’t leave valuables like your phone or purse in your unattended vehicles.
• Mixing drugs with other drugs and / or alcohol / prescription drugs can be a significant danger with risk of death.
• Ask for help immediately if you or your friends become unwell. We are here to help you.
• Please refrain from entering any roped off area.
• We expect all Rally visitors to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner at all times, showing consideration for others, the facilities and the future of the Rally. We therefore reserve the right to refuse admission or to eject a ticket holder for behaviour likely to cause damage, injury, nuisance or annoyance or for failure to comply with the reasonable requests of the Rally.

The Woodcote Rally is situated on farmland, as such conditions during adverse weather may become hazardous. Please ensure you bring appropriate footwear and clothing to cater for the possibility of wet, muddy and slippy conditions.

Woodcote Charitable Association does not condone the use of drugs. Drugs enforcement laws are as applicable onsite as anywhere else in the UK. It is illegal to buy, sell or take drugs. All drugs are potentially dangerous; there are no harmless drugs. The only way to avoid risks is to not take drugs at all. This goes for new psychoactive substances (formerly known as “legal highs”) as well. But we want our fRally visitors to know above all else that you can come to us for help if you or your friends need it without fear of getting in trouble at any time. Always be honest with medics about what you have consumed so that they know how best to help you.

Drugs Advice

We do not recommend you take drugs, but if you do please bear the following in mind.

• There are drugs in circulation in the UK that can kill with one single pill.
• Mixing drugs with other drugs / alcohol / prescription drugs can be very dangerous and mixing is behind many drugs deaths.
• Cheap does not mean weak.
• Pure does not mean safe.
• You don’t know the strength of what you might be taking.
• You don’t know how your body will react.
• You can’t tell what you are taking by looking at it.
• You can’t tell how you will react by the reaction others have had.
• Treat all drugs as unknown.

NPS and Former Legal Highs

Our drugs policies include Nitrous Oxide (Nos) and former legal highs all of which are dangerous. They are not safe or mild because they used to be legal.

Former legal highs are now known as NPS (New Psychoactive Substances) and it is now an offence to sell them.

Dealers

We will take firm action in conjunction with Thames Valley Police to arrest dealers.