Big Church Festival stopped after serious incident near Steyning

Emergency services are responding to a serious incident at the Big Church Festival near Steyning after reports that a sign fell and injured a number of people at the site in Washington Road.

Police said officers were called at around 3.38pm and remain at the scene assisting other emergency services. The Big Church Festival has since stopped all festival content and activities across the site. In an urgent message to attendees seen by Radio Worthing, organisers asked campers to return immediately to their on-site accommodation, while day visitors and those staying off-site were told to congregate in the main arena.

Festival organisers said the show stop had been called because of a “serious incident on site” and that the decision was made to prioritise people’s safety while the situation was assessed. Attendees have been told not to access stages or content areas until further notice. Police have also warned of likely traffic disruption in the area and urged people to use alternative routes where possible.