Police use facial recognition near Boardmasters

Police are using facial recognition tools close to Boardmasters festival site.

Officers said the aim was to try to reduce the risk of violence against women and girls, organised serious crime, identify sexual offenders and prevent illegal drugs being brought into Cornwall.

The tools would only be used in the town of Newquay and not at the festival site at Watergate Bay, police said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it was the first time facial recognition tools had been used in the county.

Supt Vicky Howell, Devon and Cornwall Police event commander, said: "Months of planning and preparation have gone in, working with the event organiser, local partnerships and our communities, to try and make this event as safe as possible.

"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.

"What I would say if you are coming to the festival, look after yourself, look after each other, make sure that you stay with your friends and if you do get separated have a plan to get back together.

"And I think, really importantly, if you see something that does not look right or if you see somebody who appears vulnerable talk to a police officer, talk to a steward or talk to someone at the welfare team because we can help."

She said: "The important thing is we'd rather get in there early and try and talk to you and resolve a problem rather than wait until something goes wrong."

There were 14 suspected spiking incidents at 2025's festival, compared to 55 in 2024. Police said no-one had tested positive to having drugs in their system in the past two years at the festival.

The force said on its website the technology would operate in real-time "comparing a live camera feed of faces against a pre-determined watchlist".

It said vans using the equipment would be "clearly signposted when deployed and deployment locations will be publicised on our website in advance and may also be shared on social media channels".

It also said images captured of people who were not on the pre-determined watchlist were "instantly deleted forever from the system".

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