Tens of thousands of people have been pouring into Newquay to attend Boardmasters.

The music festival at Watergate Bay, which is being headlined by Lorde, Liam Gallagher and Florence + the Machine, is expected to attract 50,000 festivalgoers whilst the surf village at Fistral Beach is also packed with people.

The Boardmasters Open surf competitions kicked off on Wednesday with the Animal Pro Men and Women’s and the Mystic Junior Open Boys and Girls.

Campers at the Watergate Bay festival site enjoyed the UK’s largest Silent Disco.

Devon & Cornwall Police officers are on hand to help event organisers ensure it runs smoothly. 

The front counter at Newquay Police Station will be open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm.

Chief Inspector Russ Dawe, from Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “We have been preparing for the anticipated large number of visitors who will be coming to Newquay for the annual Boardmasters festival, which takes place during one of the busiest periods in Cornwall’s calendar.  

“As part of our annual policing operation and to help ensure the event runs smoothly, we will have extra patrols in Newquay for the duration of the festival and we’ll also have a visible presence on the festival site itself.    

“The front counter at Newquay Police Station will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm and we will also be deploying resources in and around the road network, town and event, including roads policing, firearms and plain clothed officers, which are all part of our plans to keep residents and visitors safe.   

“We urge festival goers to take responsibility for their own safety, in what is one of the busiest weeks of the year in the county. 

“Devon and Cornwall Police, in collaboration with the festival organisers, acknowledge that safeguarding underpins all elements of this event and on this basis, we ask you to take care of your friends and family at the festival – we want everyone to enjoy this event in a safe environment.” 

Police have some crime prevention advice for those attending: 

See it, Say It, Stop It - If you have seen something that doesn’t feel right or makes you feel uncomfortable report it to us - contact the nearest steward, security staff, police officer or go to one of the festival’s welfare tents which are located in the main arena and campsites, and open 24 hours a day.

Need support? The Sanctuary is open 24-hours a day at Boardmasters and offers specialised education and support regarding relationships, consent, harassment and sexual assault. 

Never leave your drink unattended, even soft drinks and if you think your drink has been spiked, please go to the nearest medical tent or speak to a member of festival staff. 

Don’t leave anything valuable in your tent – there are a number of thefts 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. 

Boardmasters is a cashless festival, with bars, food trucks and traders only accepting card payments, 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 festival stewards, security or police immediately. 

Take the ‘anti’ away from anti-social. Please drink responsibly and put your safety and that of others first. Be considerate of others around you.

Shouting, swearing and loud music may cause fear and distress to others.

If you need help and advice but aren’t sure who to speak to please find security, stewards or police on-site or in and around Newquay. 

Remember, sex without consent is rape. No ifs, no buts, no excuses. 

There is no consent if agreement has been forced or coerced and not given freely, or if a person is impaired through drink, drugs or is not conscious. If you need help and advice visit: dc.police.uk/consent  

If it is not an emergency and you need to contact the police to report a crime or incident, you can do so by visiting dc.police.uk to access our online channels – WebChat and Report Crime Online. Alternatively, call 101 – our non-emergency number.  In an emergency, always dial 999.  

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

Festival Safe also have a collection of guides for festivalgoers to help you stay safe and have a good time. Go to festivalsafe.com