Police hail Glastonbury festival operation as 'brilliant'
Around 120 incidents have so far been reported to Avon and Somerset Police amid their festival operations
Last updated 15th Jun 2024
Avon and Somerset Police have hailed their operations at this year's Glastonbury Festival as 'brilliant'.
According to latest stats from the force, they claim just over 120 incidents have so far been recorded, but they report that many people do reports incidents in the days following the festival, too.
They say many of the reports this year have included the theft of mobile phones - many of which have also been returned to their rightful owners.
On Friday, we heard from the Force's Chief Inspector, who told us they were taking a 'zero tolerance' approach to drugs - with Glastonbury Festival saying their usual back-of-house drug testing was also going ahead, with the results then used to inform 'appropriate healthcare messaging'.
Latest data shows - out of the offences reported so far - 20 were drug related.
2\7 were thefts, 20 reports involved drug offences and seven were for sexual assaults.
A total of 35 arrests were made.
Chief Inspector, Stuart Bell, has been at the festival for the duration. He said: "From the policing point of view, it has gone very smoothly. There is a lot of planning that goes into Glastonbury Festival each year and we are very happy that it has gone very smoothly, and we're very much looking to forward next year's event in just a few weeks' time."
Ch Insp Bell also told us that the response to the policing effort has been positive by all festival-goers.
He added: "The festival is a low-crime area, which I'm pleased to report.
"It's been brilliant. When I've been walking around, engaging with the public, the response has been all positive.
"Those at the festival understood why we were there - it was around public safety and preventing crime - and the cops that you'll encounter at Glastonbury Festivals are the ones you'll encounter anywhere across Bristol, Bath and Somerset any other week of the year.
"The engagement that we've had has been brilliant. It really does reinforce that Avon and Somerset Police is one of the best policing organisations in the world, and certainly that's the reception that we got from members of the public.
"Personally speaking, though, I've worked well over 100 hours over the space of six days - so I'm also looking forward to getting some sleep!"
The clean-up operation continues at Glastonbury, and police will continue to hold a presence around the site for the next couple of weeks.
"What a farewell"
With Glastonbury winding down for 2023, it's only now when all involved get the chance to reflect on the events of the past few days.
One of those people was Sir Elton John, who thanked fans for his headline set - saying they'll be in his 'heart and soul forever', as he performed what's thought to be his final gig ever in the UK.
He treated fans to hit after hit during a "special and emotional" two-hour set, which featured the unexpected musical guests of Jacob Lusk, Stephen Sanchez, Brandon Flowers and Rina Sawayama.
Sir Elton paid tribute to late star George Michael as he launched into Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me and closed the show with Rocketman, the song that lent its name to his biopic, with Taron Egerton playing the singer.
Sir Elton John wrote on Instagram: "Thank you Glastonbury! The energy last night was like nothing else, and I couldn't be more grateful to the crowd and the people watching at home for all your love and support.
"You will be in my heart and soul forever.
"UK, what a farewell. I love you."