A man who claims he was robbed of his £3,000 gold chain at Parklife festival has spoken of the terrifying moment he was knocked unconscious during the middle of a DJ set.
Ameya Bhanushali, 27, fears he could have been seriously hurt after he was punched in the neck by an unknown man during the altercation at the Drum and Bass stage on Saturday (10 June).
Another festival-goer, who gave his name as Callum, claims his gold chain - which was left to him by his late father - was also snatched from around his neck the following day (Sunday 11 June).
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link
Both Ameya and Callum have slammed festival organisers, claiming that security staff were 'nowhere to be seen' following both incidents.
Speaking to the M.E.N, Ameya, who is originally from India but is studying in Glasgow, claims he was 'mobbed' by two people at around 8.30pm on Saturday night.
"I was dancing in the non crowded area and suddenly a guy snatched my pure gold chain from my neck," he said. "I realised immediately and caught him and asked him to give me back my chain.
"In the next 20 seconds I was knocked unconscious by another guy with a punch to my neck. I fell down to the ground and my specs broke and my neck was swollen. By the time I was conscious again and I got back up people told me that the perpetrators had run away.
"I immediately tried to find security around the stage but there was absolutely none. I could have very easily died had the punch landed on my jaw or face or anywhere else. It was absolutely terrifying."
Ameya claims that when he eventually found security staff, they told him he needed to report the incident to police. But as they were about to escort him, he claims they were called away to another fight.
"I spent the next hour with the police telling them the entire incident, providing them with all information I could think of at that time," he said. "I had descriptions for the guy who stole my very valuable and sentimental pure gold chain worth in excess of £3000.
"Police told me there was absolutely no CCTV cameras at the stage. They did register my crime but in the end they told me it would be very difficult as there is no CCTV."
Less than 24 hours later, Callum claims his sentimental gold chain was taken from his neck by men matching similar descriptions, as he danced at the Hangar stage on the Sunday evening.
His friend Meg told the Manchester Evening News, they noticed a man walk to the middle of their group, and stood facing away from the stage on his phone.
"We all looked around as this isn't normal," she said. "Looking back now he was stood directly behind Callum and we now believe he was marking Callum as a target.
"Not even one minute later this man had gone and from behind me a man reached over, grabbed the chain from the back of Callum’s neck and ripped it straight off. Obviously in shock my friend turned round realised it was his chain and shouted 'that’s my dads!'"
Megan claims she tried to grab hold of the man, but was deliberately blocked by another man who got in her way. The group believe the man who stole the chain then passed it to the other male.
"I was so worried something was going to happen to them as these did not seem like the type of guys that would want to talk it out," she said.
"They chased the man right to security who did a full search on him and didn't find anything. The security were completely unhelpful and were not concerned for our safety at all.
"Security for the whole weekend was just nowhere to be seen, the checks on the gates as you come in were next to nothing. We felt unsafe the whole weekend seeing fights at nearly every stage, watching people push down the fences or jumping over them.
"I just couldn’t believe it - We have been going to that festival for four years and I’ve never seen anything so shocking."
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they have launched an investigation into both incidents, with enquiries said to be ongoing.
In response to the first altercation, a spokesperson said: "At around 9pm on Saturday 10 June 2023, officers were called to reports of a robbery at Heaton Park on Middleton Road.
"No arrests have been made at this stage and enquiries are ongoing at this stage."
The force confirmed they also received reports of a robbery at Parklife, relating to the second incident. No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing.
The organisers of Parklife festival have been approached for comment.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
