6 days ago
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.
