Boardmasters has announced new and improved safety measures for the 2025 edition, following a crowd crush last year.
The 2025 edition of the Cornwall festival is set to begin tomorrow (August 6) and run until Sunday (10). With less than 24 hours until things kick off, organisers have ensured that new safety measures have been put in place to prevent a repeat of last year’s incidents.
Welcoming over 50,000 visitors to Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach, the 2024 festival raised concerns when reports emerged that there was a crowd surge at the site, which left some attendees injured.
In a statement on their website, organisers described it as an isolated incident: “The injured parties are currently being treated on-site by medical staff or have been taken to hospital to be checked over. None of the injuries are considered serious.”
Now, Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that there will be more police present at the site this year to keep an eye on things, and festival organisers have implemented measures to keep crowds flowing and prevent antisocial and criminal behaviour.
As shared by Cornwall Live, a spokesperson for the festival said that new precautions implemented for 2025 include 24/7 security coverage across campsites, more high-vis patrols, and faster entry with more search lanes to prevent queues from building up.
There will also be better information about the site provided, as well as 24-hour support, and various medical points that are staffed by A&E doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
Support points will also be offered to those dealing with issues including harassment, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
“Boardmasters remain saddened by the isolated incident in 2024,” said Andrew Topham, the festival’s founder and CEO.
“Delivering a safe and well-organised festival is our highest priority, and we are proud of the rigorous months of planning, sub-groups and close collaboration between Boardmasters, Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council and our other authority partners to ensure that this year’s event meets the highest standards.”
Boardmasters safeguarding lead Dawn Grant added that the team have “put in months of planning to prioritise creating a safe, supportive environment where all young people can enjoy the festival confidently”, while Superintendent Ben Asprey from Devon and Cornwall Police shared that they are “confident they will support the safety and wellbeing of all festivalgoers” throughout the 2025 event.
Last year, festival goers reported what it was like to be involved in the crowding at the site, with some recalling that attendees were trampled after falling to the ground. It was then added that the Cornwall Council had launched a formal investigation into the incident, and that 11 people had been arrested at the festival, with the charges relating to drug offences, sexual offences and assault.
That event ran between August 7-11, with Sam Fender, Stormzy and Chase & Status topping the bill. It also saw the organisers given permission to up the approximate capacity from 53,000 to 58,000.
Plans to enforce stronger safety measures were confirmed back in November.
This year’s festival will see headline performances from Central Cee, RAYE and The Prodigy. Other names on the bill include The Wombats, Sub Focus, Flo, Leigh-Anne, Krept & Konan, The Blessed Madonna, Caity Baser, Maverick Sabre, Kaiser Chiefs, Rizzle Kicks and Natasha Bedingfield, as well as Fat Dog, Maribou State, Nelly Furtado, London Grammar, Wet Leg, Franz Ferdinand and Bob Vylan.
The inclusion of the latter on the bill has divided opinion, and led to some calling for the punk-rap duo to be dropped from the line-up due to their controversial Glastonbury comments.