Creamfields festival in Daresbury has the second highest arrest rate of all large UK music festivals, with 102 festivalgoers arrested between 2022 and 2024.
Creamfields among UK festivals with highest arrest rates
Creamfields festival welcomes tens of thousands of music fans
Creamfields music festival has been identified as having the second highest arrest rate among large UK music festivals, according to recent data. The festival, held annually in Daresbury and attended by 70,000 music fans on the August bank holiday, saw 102 festivalgoers arrested between 2022 and 2024. This results in an arrest rate of 1.5 per 1,000 attendees, making it one of the festivals with the highest number of arrests.
Common offences and enforcement measures
Drug offences were found to be the most common reason for arrests at Creamfields, with 86 individuals apprehended in connection with drugs over the three-year period. Every year, festival attendees face sentencing at Chester Crown Court for drug possession and intent to supply charges related to the event. To combat illegal substances, amnesty bins are placed at the festival entrance, and thorough searches are conducted on all attendees.
Police efforts and festival comparison
In response to the high arrest rates, superintendent Sarah Heath led a policing operation targeting individuals involved in drug supply at Creamfields 2024. Pre-event site searches, surrender bins, and intensive security checks at entry points were some of the measures implemented to address drug-related issues. Despite its size and total of 116 arrests between 2022 and 2024, Glastonbury Festival ranked ninth for arrest rates due to its larger capacity of 210,000 attendees. The festival with the highest arrest rate was Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in Scotland, with 4.7 arrests per 1,000 attendees.
Conclusion
Creamfields' position among festivals with high arrest rates highlights the ongoing challenges faced by organizers and law enforcement in maintaining safety and security at large-scale music events. The data serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing effective measures to address drug-related issues and ensure the well-being of all festival attendees.
Published on 28 July 2025 by Ben Robinson
