A total of 11 arrests were made during this year’s Isle of Wight Festival, which took place last weekend, as more than 50,000 people attended the annual event in Newport.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has revealed that the majority of offences recorded between Thursday 18th June and Sunday 21st June related to drug use or possession across the site.
Of the 11 arrests made across the 4-day festival, 6 were for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Single arrests were also made for common assault, actual bodily harm, sexual assault and voyeurism, while one person was arrested after being recalled to prison.
Area Commander for the Isle of Wight, Superintendent Marcus Cator, said:
“We work closely with festival organisers and partner organisations, including the Isle of Wight Council, to ensure that the 50,000 attendees over the four days of the festival and residents in Newport enjoy a safe and family-friendly event.
“We work to ensure the festival is a safe space for women and girls, and indeed all festival goers.
“The majority of reported offences were for possession of prohibited substances, with six reports across the festival weekend, emphasising the continued importance of enforcement and amnesty schemes to ensure the event remains a safe and enjoyable space for everyone.
“The festival team actively collaborates with our officers to ensure attendees know how to report incidents of criminal behaviour and ensure all reported incidents are responded to appropriately.
Article continues below this advertisement “I’d like to thank our officers and staff for their hard work and engagement with the public over the weekend, with their efforts allowing the vast majority of attendees to enjoy a safe and hugely memorable weekend, and some glorious weather, on the Island.”
Police say the close partnership between organisers, the council and emergency services helped ensure the event passed off safely, with tens of thousands enjoying the sold-out festival in warm weather conditions.
