Immigration enforcement officers were spotted outside Castle Cary station on the first day of Glastonbury Festival (Wednesday, June 21), where festivalgoers were arriving before arriving at the main venue .

independence understood that one of the officers had told a member of the public that they were monitoring the crowd for an “adverse reaction,” which would provide a basis for questioning everyone.

Griff Ferris, a festival attendee, told my colleague, Interior Department Correspondent Lizzie Dearden: “It was strange to see the two of them there. I asked what they were doing and they said they were here to monitor adverse reactions to them.”

Mr Ferris said officers had confirmed that “adverse reactions” would give them reason to talk to people.

“I don’t see them checking on anyone, but you have to walk past them,” he added. “It’s really grim.

“There were thousands of people going through the station today and there was a long line, and when you’re queuing to check your ticket, they’ll be there.”

independence The Department of Home Affairs and Glastonbury’s press team have been contacted for comment.

Glastonbury Festival responded to reports today of immigration enforcement officers “monitoring for adverse reactions” at Castle Cary station, near the site.

A statement to independence “We are not responsible for – or are involved in any way with – policy making/enforcement away from the Festival venue.”

A member of the Black feminist punk band Big Joanie has spoken out against the presence of immigration enforcement officers near the Glastonbury Festival site.

The band will perform on the Leftfield stage on Saturday afternoon. On Wednesday, Chardine Taylor-Stone, a writer, activist and drummer for the band, tweeted in response to reports that officers were looking for an “adverse reaction” in the crowd.

“I am incredibly proud to be playing @glastonbury for the second time on the Leftfield stage but hearing that Immigration police are questioning festivalgoers is alarming,” she wrote.

“Sorry [people] of colored led strips and the attendees will be the target. How does it fit into Glasto’s ethos and move towards encouraging diversity?”

independence understood that officers had not questioned anyone, but confirmed that they were looking for an “adverse response”, which would give them a reason to approach people.

The Home Office and Glastonbury’s press team have been contacted for comment.

Massive Attack praised Glastonbury and Great Western Railway for providing additional routes to the campground.

The trip-hop collective, founded in Bristol in the 1980s, shared a photo of a train departing with the route to Castle Cary on Wednesday afternoon.

Castle Cary Station is a 25 to 30 minute drive from the main campsite.

“Great to see @GWRHelp & @glastonbury deliver 39 more trains – serving 26,000 festival-goers to the venue, marking a 58% reduction in carbon emissions per journey,” reads a tweet from The band’s official account.

“They also provide a free shuttle service to the festival. #ClimateEmergency.”

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