Ensuring safety at large events like Boardmasters Festival, hosting up to 60,000 people, is no small task. Devon and Cornwall Police Department used DJI’s Matrice 350 RTK drone with the Zenmuse H30T to enhance security during Boardmasters 2024. This advanced drone technology proved invaluable for improving public safety and operational efficiency at one of the UK’s largest festivals.
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The core challenge of event security at Boardmasters
Managing crowds of this magnitude demands real-time insights, resource allocation, traffic monitoring, and proactive incident resolution—all while working across a sprawling festival site. This, coupled with the dynamic coastal environment, made the Boardmasters Festival an ideal setting to deploy state-of-the-art drone technology.
The technology in action
To address the unique challenges of large events, the Devon and Cornwall Police leveraged two critical pieces of equipment:
DJI Matrice 350 RTK- IP55-rated weather resistance
- 12 m/s wind speed resistance (ideal for coastal conditions)
- Multi-payload support for simultaneous task capabilities
DJI Zenmuse H30T
- 48MP wide-angle camera for a broad field of view
- 400x zoom camera for detailed observations
- High-resolution thermal sensor (1280 x 1024 resolution)
- Night vision capabilities for low-light operations
- Laser rangefinder capable of measuring distances up to 3000 meters
The Zenmuse H30T’s hybrid multi-sensor design enabled comprehensive monitoring regardless of time of day or environmental conditions, effectively enhancing the ability of security teams to respond in real-time.
Matrice 350 RTK with Zenmuse H30T mounted
Durability and versatility
High-profile events, particularly near the coast, demand equipment that can withstand the elements. The H30T’s IP54 rating and the M350’s IP55 ensure durability in rainy or windy conditions. Combined, these features allowed the team to provide uninterrupted aerial monitor in diverse environmental settings.
Sergent Chris Linzey operating the M350 RTK + H30T from the coastline in Cornwall, UK.
The operational impact
Real-Time situational Awareness
One of the Zenmuse H30T’s most significant contributions at Boardmasters was its ability to deliver unparalleled situational awareness to stakeholders by live-streaming its aerial view to festival organizers and law enforcement. This allowed for:
- Traffic Monitoring: Smoothly managing vehicle movement at entry/exit points.
- Crowd Management: Proactively identifying areas of congestion and addressing potential bottlenecks before they intensified.
- Incident Detection: Recognizing and addressing minor issues, such as medical emergencies, early to prevent escalation.
Boardmasters Festival Full Footprint Data from the H30T
With clear, real-time visuals from the H30T’s wide-angle and zoom cameras, decision-makers could allocate resources more effectively throughout the vast festival site.
The Boardmasters Festival is the single largest deployment for our team. By using the drone and sensor, we could see the significant festival footprint from a single location and direct ground units with precision.
- Sergeant Chris Linzey, Devon and Cornwall Police Drone Unit
Enhanced Security Measures
The integration of drone technology into event security didn’t just improve monitoring; it empowered teams to proactively enhance public safety. The H30T supported:
- Ground Unit Coordination: Delivering accurate visual data to guide on-the-ground personnel to incidents.
- Nighttime Security: Thermal imaging and night vision capabilities ensured seamless night operations.
- Preventive Problem Identification: Early detection of potential security concerns enabled faster intervention.
The Zenmuse H30T night and zoom capabilities
Having the police support us with the drone was an invaluable tool. It helped our safety teams and control room commanders deploy resources strategically and see problems evolve in real time.
- Sam Watkins, Boardmasters Festival producer
Sergeant Chris Linzey, Drone Team at Devon&Cornwall Police, operating real-time large-scale view of the festival.
The future of drone technology in Public Safety
The success at Boardmasters signals a broader shift in how public safety operations can use drones to tackle complex challenges.
Emergency services
PC Chris Linzey remarked on the promising future of the "drone in a box" and "drone as first responder" concepts. These innovations could revolutionize emergency responses, speeding up deployment and enabling law enforcement to act faster during critical situations.
Scalability across services
The lessons learned at Boardmasters can benefit event planners and law enforcement agencies on a larger scale. The same technology offers similar advantages in urban events, emergency rescue missions, or any context where real-time situational awareness is essential.
Advancement in drone capabilities
Emerging improvements in AI integrations, battery life, and payload adaptability suggest an exciting future for drones in public safety. Organizations adopting these tools now position themselves to stay ahead in an increasingly technology-driven era.
Moving forward with aerial monitoring innovations
The deployment of the DJI M350 RTK and Zenmuse H30T during the Boardmasters Festival demonstrates how cutting-edge drone technology enhances security, streamlines operations, and ultimately prioritizes public safety at large-scale events. Events worldwide are beginning to realize these tools' potential in creating safer, better-managed experiences for everyone.
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To learn more about the DJI M350 RTK, Zenmuse H30T, and how drone technologies are revolutionizing public safety, visit DJI Enterprise’s website or request to be contacted with the form below.
