Crime and anti-social behaviour down at Boardmasters
Devon and Cornwall Police say their operation this year was a success
Last updated 14th Aug 2023
Crime and anti-social behaviour were down at this year's Boardmasters, according to police.
The force says it's policing operation at the festival in Newquay was a success, with 50,000 visitors on the site.
They say there were a small number of reported crimes within the festival, and these have been progressed by police.
Extra officers carried out additional foot patrols in the town centre and the Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach festival sites.
Chief Inspector Russell Dawe, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Every year, we are part of the multi-agency planning process with partners and event organisers whose collective aim is to support and deliver a safe and enjoyable event for all.
“In collaboration with the festival organisers, our focus has been safeguarding those attending the event and the development of a safe environment, and where necessary putting the correct support in place.
"I am pleased and proud of the efforts of officers"
“We have disrupted criminality and the supply of drugs, reduced anti-social behaviour, and supported any victims of crime or those with vulnerabilities.
“Boardmasters has a very good welfare and safeguarding arrangement through the partnership approach it adopts. In support of this, we provided specialist officers at the event, to help respond immediately to any reports of sexual offences or concerns around drink spiking. This meant those small number of people impacted had immediate support by knowledgeable and expert staff and where required, we commenced a swift investigative response.”
Chief Inspector Dawe added: “While it is extremely disappointing to see any crime at an event, a festival of this size will attract a very small minority who take advantage. I am really pleased and proud of the efforts police officers, staff and partners have made to deliver the security operation, and the proactive and preventative measures we undertook.
“We continue to develop and improve our approach to event policing to keep festivals of this nature safe and secure.
“It was a pleasure to welcome and engage with festival goers from across the country and ask everyone to take care when travel home on the roads and transport network.”
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