Armed police are to patrol at Boardmasters Festival in Newquay for the first time this year to "reassure the public."

Up to 50,000 festival goers are expected to flock to the festival this weekend and Devon and Cornwall Police has said officers will be on hand to help ensure it runs smoothly and to minimise crime.

Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, police commander for east Cornwall, said: “We work closely with the organisers with the aim of ensuring the event goes smoothly.  This is a safe, well-established event that has run successfully for a number of years, with low crime rates. 

“The police have assisted with the design of the site to ensure it is as secure and safe as possible.  There will be a significant police presence aimed at keeping people safe – whilst we will have additional officers in the town centre and regular foot patrols at the Watergate Bay festival site, we will also be deploying armed foot patrols at the festival for the first time, to reassure the public”.

The force has some crime prevention advice for those attending:

Never leave your drink unattended. Even soft drinks can be spiked with drugs or alcohol.

If you are concerned for your safety contact the nearest marshal, security guard or police officer.

Don’t leave anything valuable in your tent – there are a number of thefts of laptops and smart phones from tents every year.  Check your car daily and leave your glove compartment empty and open.

Try and keep your phone, cash and cards on you, even at night.  All traders on site accept cards, so there is no need to bring a large quantity of cash to the festival.

If you are a victim of crime, contact on site police or festival security immediately. 

Motorists attending the festival are asked to keep their speed down. There will be speed detection vans who will be enforcing the A30 in the run up to the event and the temporary 30mph limit in the area particularly on the A3059 near RAF St Mawgan.

Last year police praised organisers of the Boardmasters festival after it passed off mostly trouble free with no significant incident on either of the sites at Fistral beach and Watergate Bay.

Inspector Dave Meredith from Newquay Police said: “The Boardmasters festivals are a great asset to Newquay and provide a welcome boost to its image and economy.”

For more information on festival safety go to dc.police.uk/festivals