Latest news with #BenAsprey
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Boardmasters drug warning as thousands set to descend on 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 and Boardmasters organisers are cracking down on illegal drugs, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy across the surf and music festival in 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 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."He added that there is a chain of criminality including exploitation, coercion and violence behind the illegal drugs trade. 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 will present throughout the festival, as well as extra patrols in Newquay and on the 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. Headliners Festival headliners include 90s electronic pioneers The Prodigy, pop songstress Raye, and rapper Central taking to the stage across the weekend are indie band Kaiser Chiefs, chart-topping singer Natasha Bedingfield, and hip-hop duo Rizzle and car parks are due to open at 10:00 BST and will close at 12:00 on 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.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
'No place for drugs': Organisers issue stern warning ahead of Boardmasters
Organisers of this year's Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall have issued a stern warning to festival goers ahead of this weekend's event. Police and festival organisers are working closely together to ensure everyone's safety. The message is clear for anyone travelling to the festival in Newquay this weekend with the intent of dealing illegal and potentially harmful substances: Boardmasters and the South West is no place for drugs. To ensure the safety of everyone at the three-day festival, drug detection dogs will be in operation at all main gates, and searches are a condition of entry. Anyone found with illegal substances or banned items could be refused entry or removed from the festival, and police action may be taken against them. Police and festival organisers are working closely together to ensure everyone's safety (Image: Supplied) Superintendent Ben Asprey, who is commanding police operations at the festival, 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." "Behind all illegal drugs is a chain of criminality, including exploitation, coercion and violence. In advance of Boardmasters, and as we do all year round, we will act on intelligence received and disrupt any attempts to bring harmful drugs into our counties." Read Next: Public consultation opens on future of 23 churches in Cornwall 'It made me feel horrendous' Cafe owner hits back at 'bully' claims in Salt Path Newsquest to publish souvenir supplements for Teenage Cancer Trust anniversary Last year, Levi Bethune-Jones, 37, and Luke Belcher, 36, both from Birmingham, were travelling to Boardmasters when officers stopped their van on the A30 near Bodmin. A search revealed a haul of substances, including MDMA, Ketamine, magic mushrooms, and nitrous oxide, all of which are illegal and potentially very harmful. Levi Bethune-jones and Luke Belcher were jailed for drug offences (Image: D&C Police) In July of this year, the pair were jailed for three years and eight months each. Detective Inspector Claire Nicholls, who led the investigation, said: "We hope this acts as a deterrent to anyone thinking of taking advantage of the young demographic of Cornwall's largest festival—we will not tolerate drug crime at any time, and we will take robust action. "We always endeavour to keep our communities safe and encourage anyone with information about drug trafficking to report it." If you have information about the potential supply of illegal substances, you can report it by using the online crime reporting form on the Devon & Cornwall Police website or report completely anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
