Boardmasters festival opens in Newquay under police facial recognition

Devon and Cornwall Police are using live facial recognition technology in the town of Newquay, though not at the festival site at Watergate Bay, as Boardmasters opens today, August 5, and runs through Sunday, August 9. A police van equipped with a biometric camera is positioned in Killacourt, scanning faces against a watch list of thousands of known criminals, suspects and individuals with sexual harm prevention orders or suspected of drug dealing. Officers say images of anyone not on the list are "automatically and permanently deleted within seconds," with the aim of reducing violence against women and girls, tackling organised crime, identifying sexual offenders and stopping drugs entering the county.

Superintendent Vicky Howell, the police event commander, said the aim was to "work with our communities... to help prevent crime, help mitigate safeguarding risks and help make it an enjoyable event for everybody." She also urged festivalgoers to stay with friends, agree a plan if they get separated, and talk to a police officer, steward or welfare team member if something looks wrong.

Boardmasters launched in 1981 as a surfing competition and has grown into one of the UK's biggest music festivals, still hosting surfing and skate contests alongside its live music. This year's headliners are Lily Allen, Kasabian and Fatboy Slim, spanning pop, rock and electronic sets; the full lineup sits on the festival tracker.

The facial recognition follows safety concerns at recent editions: the 2024 festival saw a crowd surge that hospitalised seven attendees and led to 11 arrests for drug, sexual and assault offences, while 2025 drew complaints about alleged spiking, though organisers said all 14 reported cases that year tested negative for spiking-related substances, down from 55 cases in 2024. Festival director Rob Spring has pledged to make the event safer, adding 24/7 security coverage, more high-visibility patrols and medical points staffed by A&E doctors, nurses and paramedics.

Spring said organisers hope to let "44,000 people come together to feel that sense of freedom, be in the moment, connect with each other and connect with the artists" this year. Last year's Boardmasters was headlined by Central Cee, RAYE and The Prodigy, with The Wombats, Wet Leg, Franz Ferdinand and Bob Vylan also on the bill.