There was a near 50% cut in the amount of crime committed during the Isle of Wight Festival this year, provisional figures show.
Throughout the extended weekend event a total of 84 crimes were reported – a drop of 47% – which included 4 of violence and 44 of burglary and theft.
Effective teamwork has been hailed as the key to the success of keeping crime low with Hampshire Constabulary working with a variety of partner agencies.
A number of officers from Hampshire’s Roads Policing Unit were brought over from the mainland to assist the Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit in keeping motorists safe and in check using both unmarked and marked vehicles.
Policing commander for the Isle of Wight Festival 2014, Chief Superintendent Scott Chilton, said:
“Keeping tens of thousands of people safe in and around Seaclose Park is a huge policing challenge, which we met successfully again this year. Close co-operation with other agencies through the event’s Safety Advisory Group was vital.
“Residents living close to the festival site were not forgotten by our Safer Neighbourhoods teams, who did extra patrols over the weekend and the festival police office proved to be popular with visitors, who picked up free tips and technology to protect their personal possessions.
“Many people followed our precautions before the festival by reading advice online and meeting our special constables at the Island’s ferry terminals.
Article continues below this advertisement “We appreciated the relaxed and good-natured attitude of the vast majority of people to make it a safe, low-crime event.”
