Police have published figures showing eleven arrests at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.
Superintendent Marcus Cator, Area Commander for the Isle of Wight, confirmed the breakdown following the four-day event in Newport.
Drug offences account for more than half the total
Six of the eleven arrests related to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Superintendent Cator said,
“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.”
Four further arrests covered one count each of common assault, actual bodily harm, sexual assault, and voyeurism, with a fifth involving the recall of a person to prison.
Officers confirmed these figures as accurate as of 8pm on Sunday 21st June 2026.
Partnership working throughout the weekend
Around 50,000 people attended the festival across the four days, with officers working alongside festival organisers and Isle of Wight Council throughout.
Superintendent Cator said,
“We work closely with festival organisers and partner organisations including 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.”
He added,
“We work to ensure the festival is a safe space for women and girls, and indeed all festival goers.”
The festival team actively collaborated with officers to help attendees understand how to report criminal behaviour, and officers responded to all reported incidents appropriately.
Officers praised for their work over the weekend
Superintendent Cator expressed his thanks to officers and staff following the weekend.
He said,
“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.”
