Police use facial recognition near Boardmasters festival

Balancing the Beat: Facial Recognition and Safety at Boardmasters

As the buzz builds for the upcoming Boardmasters festival, planning for an immersive experience is only half the battle—ensuring everyone enjoys the atmosphere safely is the other crucial piece. In a move designed to enhance public safety across the region, police forces in Cornwall and Devon have announced plans to deploy facial recognition technology near the festival area.

This year’s event, kicking off in Newquay from August 5th to August 9th, will feature major acts including Lily Allen, Kasabian, and Fatboy Slim, setting the stage for an unforgettable musical journey. To complement this vibrant experience, police are implementing Live Facial Recognition (LFR) tools in Newquay to proactively manage safety concerns.

The intention behind this technology is clearly focused on community protection. Authorities aim to use LFR to help mitigate risks, specifically focusing on reducing violence against women and girls, identifying sexual offenders, and deterring illegal drug activity within the county.

Crucially, the deployment has strict safeguards in place. Officers confirmed that images of individuals who are not relevant to their duties will be automatically and permanently deleted within seconds, ensuring privacy is protected. The focus remains squarely on safety and community well-being.

“It’s really important that we work with our communities and work with people in the festival to help prevent crime, help mitigate safeguarding risks and help make it an enjoyable event for everybody,” explained Supt Vicky Howell, the police event commander.

The deployment involves a police van equipped with a biometric camera positioned in Killacourt. This system scans faces against a “watch list” of known criminals, suspects, and individuals with specific safeguarding orders or drug-related concerns.

This focus on safety is timely, drawing context from previous years where the festival faced challenges. The 2024 edition saw significant concerns regarding crowd surges, resulting in injuries and requiring medical attention for several attendees, as well as arrests related to drug, sex, and assault offences.

In response, organizers implemented substantial changes for the following year, introducing enhanced security measures such as 24/7 coverage across campsites, increased high-visibility patrols, and expanded medical support staffed by A&E doctors and paramedics.

The festival also addressed social concerns raised by attendees regarding incidents of drink spiking. Organisers reported a sharp decline in reported spiking cases in the 2025 event, demonstrating a commitment to creating a more secure environment for everyone.

Ultimately, the goal remains to foster an atmosphere where people can connect and feel free. Festival directors are striving to create a space where “44,000 people [can] come together to feel that sense of freedom, be in the moment, connect with each other and connect with the artists.”