London 2012 Olympics: Why are festival organisers banning home made sandwiches from free events in Hyde Park and Victoria Park?

 
7 August 2012

The organisers of the free Olympics viewing sites in Hyde Park and Victoria Park were today accused of declaring war on home-made sandwiches.

Families said their snacks had been confiscated by security as they tried to enter the London Live events, which show action on giant screens and feature pop concerts each night.

They claimed that the restrictions were a blatant attempt to force them to buy “overpriced” food from vendors inside, such as £7.50 for a hotdog and a drink and £7 for fish and chips.

Marketing manager Marianne Bearton, 40, who has a severe yeast intolerance, said she took two packets of cashew nuts, popcorn and some rice cakes to the Hyde Park event but they were confiscated by security guards.

When she complained that there was nothing inside she could eat, an official said the rules were “non-negotiable”.

Many fans at Hyde Park were forced to eat their picnics or throw food away before being allowed into the venue.

Classical singer Ildiko Allen, 36, of Croydon, said: “Drinks I can understand yes, but there is no security reason for not taking in food.”

Her friend, opera singer Joanna Soane, 33, said: “I’m a bit drunk because we have had to have our drinks all at once.”

Teacher Jacob Peregrine-Wheller, 23, said the restrictions were encouraging binge-drinking and leading to a lot of wasted food. He added: “They are just trying to make money out of it and using the terrorist threat as a mask.”

Teachers Sue Lester and Tamsyn Houlden, both 27, said they would have preferred to have enjoyed their picnic inside the venue.

The events are being staged by Live Nation. A spokesman for BT London Live said: “When you go into Hyde Park or Victoria Park you can bring crisps, packets of sweets and chocolate bars. You can bring baby food of any description. But you can’t bring in a cool box or lots of sandwiches.” He said organisers were following Locog rules.

Spectators also complained of being prevented from entering venues with camera lenses bigger than six inches.

The BT London Live spokesman said professional cameras were banned to ensure press-quality pictures were only taken by accredited media.

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