Safeguarding & Security

We have on site 24/7 security and stewards who are there watching over things so that everyone can enjoy the festival as much as possible. Friendly but firm if you need them. They are there to protect you but promise to always be approachable and fair.

Please look after all your valuables during your time at the festival. Remember, your possessions are your responsibility, so only bring what you need – the less stuff you need to keep an eye on, the better.

Bag searches will be conducted upon entry. We ask all customers to only carry a small bag (no bigger than an A4 piece of paper) if absolutely necessary. Anyone found to be in possession of banned substances or items will be refused entry and the appropriate legal action will be taken. In this instance, no refunds will be issued. A list of these prohibited items can be found below:

Prohibited Items

• Illegal Substances
• Gas canisters & BBQs
• Weapons
• Sharp Objects
• Glass
• Pyrotechnics / Flares / Fireworks
• Food
• Alcohol
• Golf Umbrellas
• Flags
• Animals (with the acceptance of previously agreed assistance dogs)
• Large Bags – No bags bigger than an A4 piece of paper will be allowed on site
• Chairs
• Aerosols
• Lasers/Laser pens

Tramlines is committed to promoting and upholding the best practice to address incidents of sexual assault or harassment and to ensure that our festival is a safe and inclusive space for all. 

Alongside AIF (Association of Independent Festivals), we will be supporting the AIF Safer Spaces campaign and Charter of Best Practice. You can find out more information here.

We have also launched our own initiative alongside UN Women, focussing on staff training, prevention, reporting procedures, support and awareness. Find out more here.

All bags are subject to search on entry. To avoid lengthy queues we strongly advise that you do not bring a bag. Please allow plenty of time for queues, entry procedures, ticket checks and searches.

Bags larger than A4 in size are not permitted.

The safety of all Tramlines goers is of highest priority to us, and this means we must have certain rules in place to protect the safety of our younger festival-goers. Please see our age restrictions and ID requirements below.

16 & Over

Anyone 16 or over is welcome to attend the festival on their own.

We accept the following forms of ID to enter the festival:

• Your current passport
• Your UK Driver’s Licence or Provisional Licence
• VALIDATE UK
• Citizen Card

Please note we cannot accept other forms of ID.  Photocopies will only be accepted to gain entry but the real document will have to be shown to purchase alcohol.

Under 15’s

Anyone who is aged 15 or under must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Challenge 25

A challenge 25 policy will be in place for all alcohol sales on site. If you look under 25, you will need a valid photo ID to be served alcohol, this can include a Passport, Driver’s Licence, Validate UK or Citizen Card are accepted. Please note: Photocopies will not be accepted as a form of ID to purchase alcohol.

Please read Tramlines’ Ethos below and bear this in mind when joining us at Hillsborough Park.

We operate a Prevent, Pursue, Protect policy. This means, Prevent illegal drugs from getting onto the site, Pursue anyone suspected of supplying illegal drugs, Protect the festival-goers.

Tramlines has a zero-tolerance drug policy. Any illegal drugs will be confiscated and the police may decide to prosecute. New psychoactive substances, Poppers, and Nitrous Oxide are also strictly prohibited and may result in ejection from the event. Searches are a condition of entry to the festival.

We really want all our festival-goers to stay safe at this year’s festival. Please don’t take any risks. You can find out all the latest information on legal highs at www.whynotfindout.org

For more information about how to stay safe head to www.talktofrank.com

If you or any of your friends are feeling unwell you can visit our on-site welfare team who will be able to help you

Festival-goers are permitted to bring 1 x 500ml sealed water bottle or an empty bottle into the Main Stage arena. Free drinking water is provided on-site. Please note taking alcohol into the festival is not permitted. Any alcohol found will be confiscated at the gates. Drinking is not permitted in the queues.   

Challenge 25 

A challenge 25 policy will be in place for all alcohol sales on site. If you look under 25, you will need valid ID to be served alcohol.

Our Welfare Tent is open from open until the festival closes each day and our experienced and supportive staff are here to offer support if you need them.  They can give confidential advice about alcohol, sexual health, mental health and offer support if you want to talk to someone.

The Welfare team is not here to make judgements or get you in trouble. Their service is totally confidential so you can be honest with them about any problems you are experiencing and they will do their best to help you. 

Personal Welfare & Safety

Event 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.

Admission to the event is at Ticket Holder’s risk. Tramlines Events Ltd and the Premises Licence Holder will not be held liable for any loss, injuries or damages sustained at the event including damage, theft or losses to property and motor vehicles if the cause is due to the negligence of the ticket holder or the actions of other patrons or thirds parties or force majeure.

Safe Spaces Now

We are delighted to announce that Tramlines Festival and UN Women UK are joining forces again this year to deliver ‘Safe Spaces Now’ – an initiative committed to tackling sexual harrassment at live events, whilst creating a safe and inclusive space for women and marginalised groups.

Together, our aim is to make Tramlines Festival an even better experience for everyone. 

Our collaboration with UN Women UK includes:

• Supporting with Staff Training
• Training and Sourcing Guardian Angel volunteers
• Providing Education and Information on site at the Safe Spaces Now Tent

Our aim is to make Tramlines Festival a safe and inclusive space that invites everyone – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or ability to join the party at Hillsborough Park. Our fans and the community we have grown make Tramlines the festival it is today and we ask all festival goers to follow our Tramlines Ethos at all times. 

Trained UN Women UK ‘Guardian Angels’ will be easy to spot across the festival site wearing bright UN Women UK T-shirts. Our Guardian Angels are on hand to ensure that all festival goers feel supported by trained volunteers who can intervene safely or provide support in case of an incident. As active bystanders Guardian Angels are trained to approach situations in a non-inflammatory way and provide practical support linking to our on site provision.

Sheffield Mind Sensory Area

In 2023, we partnered with Sheffield Mind to create a Sensory Area at the festival. The sensory area will be for anyone who needs somewhere to relax, regulate or just enjoy a quiet, friendly chat. Located near the Welfare tent, our area will provide a haven for people who identify as autistic, neuro-divergent or sensitive to over-stimulation.

Terrorist attacks are rare in the UK, but recent events have shown that an attack could happen anywhere and without warning. Staying as calm as possible and knowing how to react in an emergency is important.

Arrive early at events to allow time for extra security measures.

Be patient with security checks and help the staff to help you. It might be inconvenient but they are there to keep you safe.

If you spot someone acting suspiciously, report it to the police or to security staff immediately, don’t leave it to someone else #ActionCountersTerrorism.

In an emergency, if you think there is an immediate risk, always call 999 and look around you for help from security or stewards – especially those with radios who can raise the alarm quickly.

Don’t leave bags unattended or anywhere they could cause a security scare.

Never agree to look after a stranger’s bags, no matter how plausible their story.

If there is an incident, please remain calm, listen to staff and any announcements. Organisers will have emergency plans to help you keep safe.

During an incident, people sometimes think that filming on phones would be good to provide evidence for Police but your safety is always the main priority, do not put yourself at risk.

Always keep some charge in your phone so that you can make a call or be contacted in an emergency

Remember, the chance of being caught in a terrorist incident is small but if it happens – RUN, HIDE, TELL.