Specialized pickpockets are reportedly targeting visitors at the Graspop Metal Meeting festival grounds in Dessel. Since the event began, numerous SIM cards have been found scattered on the festival site, believed to have been discarded by phone thieves after stealing devices. The situation has raised concerns among attendees and local authorities alike.
- Specialized pickpockets target Graspop festival grounds
- Police report multiple tent and camper break-ins
- Thieves discard SIM cards after phone thefts
- Festival uses online system for theft reports
- 130 reported missing phones among 50,000 visitors
- Staff actively monitor and catch pickpockets
Before the metal festival even kicked off on 2025-06-21 17:43:00, police received reports of break-ins at tents and campers, primarily aimed at cash theft. The private camping area of FC De Kempenzonen and the festival’s Boneyard and Inferno campsites have seen multiple incidents, highlighting the challenges of securing such a large event.
With over 130 reports of missing phones logged on the festival’s online reporting platform, how can visitors protect themselves? And what measures are in place to combat these thefts? The answers may lie in the collaboration between festival security and police presence on site.
What does this surge in thefts mean for festival safety? It underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive security measures in large gatherings. Consider these points:
- Thieves focus on both cash and mobile devices, exploiting crowded camping areas.
- Discarded SIM cards suggest organized phone theft rings operating on-site.
- Police have dedicated staff to detect pickpockets, but attendee awareness remains crucial.
- Reporting lost or stolen devices via official channels helps law enforcement track patterns.
As Graspop continues, festivalgoers should stay alert and safeguard their belongings. Will increased reporting and police efforts reduce theft? Only time will tell, but community cooperation remains key to a safer festival experience.
