Boardmasters has introduced new and improved security measures for the 2025 version, following a crowd crush final yr.
The 2025 version of the Cornwall pageant is about to start tomorrow (August 6) and run till Sunday (10). With lower than 24 hours till issues kick off, organisers have ensured that new security measures have been put in place to forestall a repeat of final yr’s incidents.
Welcoming over 50,000 guests to Watergate Bay and Fistral Seaside, the 2024 pageant raised considerations when experiences emerged that there was a crowd surge on the website, which left some attendees injured.
In an announcement on their web site, organisers described it as an remoted incident: “The injured events are at the moment being handled on-site by medical employees or have been taken to hospital to be checked over. Not one of the accidents are thought of severe.”
Now, Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that there will probably be extra police current on the website this yr to keep watch over issues, and pageant organisers have carried out measures to maintain crowds flowing and forestall delinquent and legal behaviour.
As shared by Cornwall Stay, a spokesperson for the pageant stated that new precautions carried out for 2025 embody 24/7 safety protection throughout campsites, extra high-vis patrols, and quicker entry with extra search lanes to forestall queues from build up.
There can even be higher details about the location supplied, in addition to 24-hour help, and numerous medical factors which are staffed by A&E medical doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
Help factors can even be supplied to these coping with points together with harassment, sexual assault, and home violence.
“Boardmasters stay saddened by the remoted incident in 2024,” stated Andrew Topham, the pageant’s founder and CEO.
“Delivering a secure and well-organised pageant is our highest precedence, and we’re happy with the rigorous months of planning, sub-groups and shut collaboration between Boardmasters, Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council and our different authority companions to make sure that this yr’s occasion meets the very best requirements.”
Boardmasters safeguarding lead Daybreak Grant added that the workforce have “put in months of planning to prioritise making a secure, supportive surroundings the place all younger individuals can benefit from the pageant confidently”, whereas Superintendent Ben Asprey from Devon and Cornwall Police shared that they’re “assured they’ll help the protection and wellbeing of all festivalgoers” all through the 2025 occasion.
Final yr, pageant goers reported what it was wish to be concerned within the crowding on the website, with some recalling that attendees had been trampled after falling to the bottom. It was then added that the Cornwall Council had launched a proper investigation into the incident, and that 11 individuals had been arrested on the pageant, with the fees regarding drug offences, sexual offences and assault.
That occasion ran between August 7-11, with Sam Fender, Stormzy and Chase & Standing topping the invoice. It additionally noticed the organisers given permission to up the approximate capability from 53,000 to 58,000.
Plans to implement stronger security measures had been confirmed again in November.
This yr’s pageant will see headline performances from Central Cee, RAYE and The Prodigy. Different names on the invoice embody The Wombats, Sub Focus, Flo, Leigh-Anne, Krept & Konan, The Blessed Madonna, Caity Baser, Maverick Sabre, Kaiser Chiefs, Rizzle Kicks and Natasha Bedingfield, in addition to Fats Canine, Maribou State, Nelly Furtado, London Grammar, Moist Leg, Franz Ferdinand and Bob Vylan.
The inclusion of the latter on the invoice has divided opinion, and led to some calling for the punk-rap duo to be dropped from the line-up on account of their controversial Glastonbury feedback.
