This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crlzd35ger9o
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Boardmasters drug warning as thousands set to descend on festival | Boardmasters drug warning as thousands set to descend on festival |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Police will be present throughout Boardmasters as well as extra patrols in Newquay and on the roads | |
| Sniffer dogs and increased police patrols will be deployed on roads as up to 58,000 people descend on the area for a five-day festival. | Sniffer dogs and increased police patrols will be deployed on roads as up to 58,000 people descend on the area for a five-day festival. |
| Police and Boardmasters organisers are cracking down on illegal drugs, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy across the surf and music festival in Newquay. | Police and Boardmasters organisers are cracking down on illegal drugs, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy across the surf and music festival in Newquay. |
| Drug detection dogs will be working at all gates at the festival, which runs from Wednesday until Sunday, and searches are a condition of entry, Devon and Cornwall Police said. | Drug detection dogs will be working at all gates at the festival, which runs from Wednesday until Sunday, and searches are a condition of entry, Devon and Cornwall Police said. |
| Anyone found with illegal substances or banned items will be refused entry and could face being arrested. | Anyone found with illegal substances or banned items will be refused entry and could face being arrested. |
| Supt Ben Asprey, who is in charge of the festival's police operations, said: "Drug suppliers don't sell drugs for fun or as a public service, they sell entirely for profit and have no concern about the harmful effects the substances they sell could have on people who buy them." | Supt Ben Asprey, who is in charge of the festival's police operations, said: "Drug suppliers don't sell drugs for fun or as a public service, they sell entirely for profit and have no concern about the harmful effects the substances they sell could have on people who buy them." |
| He added that there is a chain of criminality including exploitation, coercion and violence behind the illegal drugs trade. | He added that there is a chain of criminality including exploitation, coercion and violence behind the illegal drugs trade. |
| Safety measures have been improved for this year's event after seven people were injured in a crowd surge in 2024 | |
| Organisers have worked with police, the ambulance and fire service and other bodies to improve safety after seven people were hurt in a crowd surge last year. | Organisers have worked with police, the ambulance and fire service and other bodies to improve safety after seven people were hurt in a crowd surge last year. |
| Police will be present throughout the festival, as well as extra patrols in Newquay and on the roads. | Police will be present throughout the festival, as well as extra patrols in Newquay and on the roads. |
| Supt Asprey advised festival-goers: "If you're attending the event, please be safe, look out for each other and stay hydrated." | Supt Asprey advised festival-goers: "If you're attending the event, please be safe, look out for each other and stay hydrated." |
| Police reminded revellers to report anything which does not feel right to a steward, security staff, police or at the festival's 24-hour welfare tents at the main arena and campsites. | Police reminded revellers to report anything which does not feel right to a steward, security staff, police or at the festival's 24-hour welfare tents at the main arena and campsites. |
| Campsites and car parks opened at 10:00 BST and will close at 12:00 on Monday | Campsites and car parks opened at 10:00 BST and will close at 12:00 on Monday |
| Festival headliners include 90s electronic pioneers The Prodigy, pop songstress Raye, and rapper Central Cee. | Festival headliners include 90s electronic pioneers The Prodigy, pop songstress Raye, and rapper Central Cee. |
| Also taking to the stage across the weekend are indie band Kaiser Chiefs, chart-topping singer Natasha Bedingfield, and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks. | Also taking to the stage across the weekend are indie band Kaiser Chiefs, chart-topping singer Natasha Bedingfield, and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks. |
| Campsites and car parks opened at 10:00 BST and will close at 12:00 on Monday. | Campsites and car parks opened at 10:00 BST and will close at 12:00 on Monday. |
| The festival is spread over two locations with the main arena and campsites at Watergate Bay, whilst Fistral Beach hosts the Boardmasters Open, surf competition and shopping village. | The festival is spread over two locations with the main arena and campsites at Watergate Bay, whilst Fistral Beach hosts the Boardmasters Open, surf competition and shopping village. |
| A one-way traffic system and soft road closures have also been introduced to reduce the impact during peak arrival and departure times. | A one-way traffic system and soft road closures have also been introduced to reduce the impact during peak arrival and departure times. |
| Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. |