I know - not blaming the bar staff at all. It was the fault of the people giving over 18 wristbands out to anyone and everyone.
This over 18 wristband tent is new though, is it not? Last year you just got a wristband at the gate. Hopefully this will ensure that the people do their job properly, if anyone who wants an over 18 wristband (ie those who look under 21) will have to go to that tent and provide ID to get one.

I have never seen the setup so not sure if its in the same place or if has moved but the facility at Latitude has been available for years.
 
Part of the problem is The Licensing Act 2003 which came into force on 24th of November 2005 mentions the words ' at the point of sale ' and do not cover wrist bands at all so anyone who hands out over 18 wrist bands to people who are under 18 is not breaking any law.
 
From bar experience at Latitude most people { under 21 } tend to carry ID anyway but it would save them having to carry it and cut down waiting time if the over 18 wrist band system was made to work.
 
I have seen young teens who no would think they were over 14 never mind 18 walking about with them - they did not try to buy alcohol but that is not the point because as soon as one is spotted then clearly something has gone wrong. 
 
If I get time I will visit the over 18 wrist band tent as I want to see it in action and see  how strict they are as by now there should be very few mistakes.

coh, dilemma... I'm 18 on the Friday. Now I don't want to ruin the system, but surely I would qualify for an over 18's wristband, as for the majority of the festival I will be 18? No issue about not buying booze on the thursday, but I'd rather not be stuck with an under 18's band for the whole festival... Any ideas?

esmith - in a perfect world you'd be able to swap your under 18's band on the friday (and have them buy you a birthday pint too? :) ). That's a tricky one. If all else fails i'm sure you'll find someone to help you out. That's too unfair spending your 18th sober. Hell, I'll get your drinks! 

they'll still except ids at the bar and also give out 18+ wristbands as well e.g. for day trippers

clearbluevision - you are a great human being. My plan for the moment is to tell my sad story to the wristband giver-outer (a fellow student no doubt, so I'm sure they will feel my pain) and just drink the stuff I've lugged into camp on the thursday. Then on friday, bright and early(2ish? :P), I will head to the nearest bar and pester them until they pour me a nice refreshing glass/cup of alcohol.

Yeah, as long as you have ID showing them you'll be turning of age within the next 10 hours you'll be fine I should think.

esmith
 
I will head to the nearest bar and pester them until they pour me a nice refreshing glass/cup of alcohol.

You can try but unless you have a Current Passport - Full or provisional photo card driving licence issued by the DVLA or a Valid UK card bearing a PASS hologram I am afraid your wasting your time.
 
You would be amazed how many will claim that they just turned 18 and therefor was unable to produce valid ID even although its possible at 16 to apply for a Pass card { and some version its lower than that }
 
By the way like every other year Student ID is not accepted. 
 

WBC Worker, the driving license will be firmly in hand when I get to the bar! And cheers for the help guys and gals

I think the over 18s wristbands is a flawed idea.  I'm well over 18 so it doesn't apply to me but if I can get my wristband on and off then so can others, so they can be shared. 
 
Having said that, my daughter has recently turned 30 and still  has to carry ID to buy a drink so the whole thing is crazy.