Police operate facial recognition tools in Newquay

Devon and Cornwall Police are to use new facial recognition tools in Newquay while the Boardmasters festival is under way.

The aim was to try to mitigate the risk of violence against women and girls, organised serious crime, identifying sexual offenders and preventing illegal drugs being brought into Cornwall officers said.

The tools was only be used in the town of Newquay and not on the festival site at Watergate Bay, although police said they would be at the event to help with safeguarding and minimize criminal activity.

Supt Vicky Howell, who has the role of event commander, said: "We've got specialist resources here at the festival with forensic capability to try and tackle drug offending."

Supt Howell 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.

"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," she said.

There were 14 suspected spiking incidents at last year's festival, compared to 55 in 2024 and nobody has tested positive to having drugs in their system in the past two years.

The force said on its website that it was to begin "using live facial recognition (LFR)... this summer".

It said the technology would operate in real-time "comparing a live camera feed of faces against a pre-determined watchlist".

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

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