A total of 50 crimes were reported to have occurred at Kendal Calling’s Lowther Deer Park site, near Penrith, during the festival at the weekend, and these included drugs offences, sexual assaults, assaults and thefts.
Nine arrests were made over the course of the festival, which this year ran from Thursday to Sunday, with around 40,000 festival-goers in attendance.
Police said there was an increase in drugs-related crime compared to last year, however this is a result of the proactive approach to prevent illegal drugs entering the site and to keep people safe from harm.
The number of non-drug-related crimes was lower than last year as the majority of festival-goers enjoyed a safe event.
A spokesman for police said: “The work conducted to prevent drugs entering the site was complemented by the placing of a number of drugs amnesty bins, where those with illegal drugs were able to safely dispose of them.”
Cumbria police praised partnership working with other agencies, festival organisers and emergency services, as well as the officers who policed the event.
As in previous years, the constabulary’s dog section scanned attendees to identify those in possession of drugs at the gates. Officers and police dogs also worked on site to conduct proactive drug searches.
All victims were offered safeguarding and support and any crimes identified are being investigated.
Superintendent Andy Wilkinson said: “Cumbria police worked closely with the event organisers and other partner agencies in the lead up to the event and throughout the weekend.
“The priority of all our officers is keeping people safe from harm and our collaboration with the festival organisers, on-site security and other agencies has allowed us to do this effectively.
“Unfortunately, there were some serious crimes committed, and our specialist detectives are now working hard to investigate these and provide support to the victims.
“There was a lot of preventative activity put in place before and during the festival including number plate recognition cameras on and off site, increased officers on the roads in Penrith and our drugs dogs and handlers on the gates.
“I’d particularly like to praise the dog section, and our handler colleagues, who worked tirelessly throughout the week in order to reduce the volume of illegal substances being brought on to the site.
“Although we did make a number of arrests, this number is extremely low in comparison to the large volume of people who attended the festival, and we are pleased that most enjoyed the music safely and had a great time — despite the rain and mud.
“I would personally like to thank all of the police officers and staff who have worked diligently and professionally throughout the event, as well as all of the other agencies involved in Kendal Calling.”
