Police make drugs arrests at Powderham Lockdown event
Devon and Cornwall Police say there were a number of drug-related arrests linked to Lockdown event at Powderham Castle over the weekend, but there were no reports of sexual assaults at what was a largely peaceful event.
Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, who is in charge of the policing of the event, said: “Lockdown was largely trouble-free with only a couple of assaulted related arrests throughout the weekend.
“The main challenge we faced over the weekend was drug related, and notably with the amount of people caught carrying or selling nitrous oxide. We, along with event organisers seized thousands of these canisters throughout the weekend and have made a handful of arrests linked to this.
“The use of nitrous oxide seems to have been a notable trend at this weekend’s festival. The fact of the matter is drug taking takes place at festivals; this isn’t unique to Lockdown. There is nothing we can do if someone decides they wish to take drugs, all we can do is police and proactively target those carrying and supplying these drugs; something which I believe we have done well this weekend, and with the full support and backing of the festival organisers.
“We have also seen the more stupid side of humanity this weekend as one young man was detained after he tried to sell drugs directly to festival security, then tried to offer money to be let go. We located the man’s tent and vehicle and not only found around 500 canisters of nitrous oxide, but also a hand written check list entitled ‘How to deal drugs at a festival’. I’m not sure offering them to security in illuminous jackets was on the checklist. This clever lad remains in police custody.
“We also have in custody two men who managed to sneak their way backstage. They were soon caught and following searches undertaken by the National Crime Agency, drugs were found hidden in their car. Following on from this, a search was undertaken at a hotel in Exeter when nitrous oxide, and drugs believed to be MDMA and ecstasy were found. These two men also remain in police custody.”
“I worked on the policing operation at both Boardmasters and Lockdown – I find it concerning that during these two events we have seized in the region of 11,000 canisters of nitrous oxide and £20k worth of cash linked to the sale of these items.”
Lockdown festival key arrests:
One man in Torquay custody linked to a domestic assault at the festival.
One man arrested after a call was received stating that a man was seen carrying a firearm in the surrounding village. He has been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.
Three men arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, one man was in possession of over 1,700 canisters of nitrous oxide. Two men from London and one from Exmouth, all three have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
One man was arrested after failing to adhere to the direction to leave he was issued by the police.
Two arrests for assault at the festival.
Following a drug arrest at the festival, further searches were undertaken by colleagues in Avon and Somerset where a significant haul of drugs and cash has been located in Bristol.
