Nine people were arrested for sexual assault at Leeds Festival this year

Nine people were arrested for sexual assault offences at Leeds Festival this year, The Tab can reveal.

One of these arrests was due to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl “by penetration with part of the body or a thing”.

Three people were arrested after three women over the age of 16 were raped.

A further four people were arrested due to the sexual assault of a female and one due to a sexual assault of a male.

According to information revealed by The Tab via Freedom of Information Request, there were a total of 110 arrests by the West Yorkshire Police at Leeds Festival this year.

Other arrests included drug-related offences, assault with actual bodily harm and arson.

Leeds Festival ran over the August bank holiday weekend 2023 from Friday 25th August to Sunday 27th and saw over 90,000 attendees at Bramham Park, Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police told The Tab: “Crimes relating to sexual offences are taken very seriously by West Yorkshire Police. Specially trained officers are responsible for the investigation of these offences and are situated within both District Safeguarding Unites and Protective Services (Crime), a specialist department which deals with complex investigations.

“All investigations involving victims of sexual offences, regardless of the age the person responsible, are dealt within a multi-agency setting, involving out statutory safeguarding partners. This approach allows not only for an effective investigation but ensures appropriate safeguarding measures are considered for any person deemed to be at risk.

West Yorkshire Police strikes to ensure all victims receive the best possible service and care from all officers and staff. All victims are offered appropriate specialist after care support services to ensure they receive support throughout the criminal justice process.”

Leeds Festival has been contacted for comment. 

If you or someone you know has been affected by this story contact Refuge on their free 24/7 helpline 0808 2000 247 or contact Rape Crisis online for a free confidential chat helpline.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• In pictures: The masses of rubbish and tents abandoned after bank holiday festivals

• Students report three alleged incidents of rape or sexual assault on campus every week

• The whitest universities: The Russell Groups with the fewest ethnic minority students