Pride event cancelled over antisocial behaviour fears

Pride was due to take place at Boundary Park

A free Pride festival has been cancelled after problems with antisocial behaviour at a previous music event at the park where it was due to take place.

Didcot Pride had been due to take place in Boundary Park on 24 August.

But organisers said they could not "deliver a safe event" following disorder at a music festival last month.

Thames Valley Police previously said a "group of intoxicated youths caused significant disruption" at Bands on the Boundary in June.

A message on the Didcot Pride Facebook page said it was with "much sadness and regret" that the event would not go ahead.

It said: "We need to look again at how we can continue to deliver these free community events, whilst being able to control those who can't follow basic rules like not bringing their own drinks on to site and that feel it is acceptable to abuse staff and vandalise property."

Organisers said they were already looking at options for 2025, adding: "Unfortunately we don’t feel we can deliver a safe event at present."

A dispersal order was issued after disorder at a previous event

Bands on the Boundary took place at Boundary Park on 28-30 June.

Thames Valley Police said the event "unfortunately attracted a group of intoxicated youths".

A spokesperson said: "This group created a disturbance well into the night, engaging in fights and creating a hostile environment that affected local residents."

On the second night of the festival, one person was arrested on suspicion of 13 offences, including criminal damage to vehicles, racially aggravated public order offences, and assault on emergency workers.

The force said the "escalating situation" led to a section 24 dispersal notice to allow officers to "manage the unruly crowd".

County councillor Ian Snowdon, who is also part of the organisation team for Didcot Pride, said it was a "very upsetting situation".

"It was clearly going to be a fantastic event, there was a lot of energy around it. It's heart breaking for the people who put the time in."

He said the antisocial behaviour at Bands on the Boundary had "added risk" to future events.

"In future, events are going to have to have have more security and a lot more discussions with the police beforehand."