ESSEX Police have praised V Festival 2009 goers after a considerable reduction in crime at this year s event, held in Chelmsford s Hylands Park.The festival, which attracted around 80,000 people on both days, was again hailed as a safe and enjoyable even

ESSEX Police have praised V Festival 2009 goers after a considerable reduction in crime at this year's event, held in Chelmsford's Hylands Park.

The festival, which attracted around 80,000 people on both days, was again hailed as a safe and enjoyable event with the number of offences being much lower than in previous years.

Between Friday night and Sunday night 51 crimes were reported, compared to 76 for the same period last year. A total of 52 arrests were made during the weekend, a large number of them being linked to reported crimes.

Thirty-five people were arrested for drug offences, 10 were detained for ticket touting, fraud or money laundering offences, one for a public order incident, four for assaults, one indecent assault and a person wanted by police in Manchester was also arrested.

The reported crimes were 19 thefts, 25 drug offences, two public order offences, three assaults, a theft of a motor vehicle and one incident of criminal damage.

Chief Supt Michelle Dunn, the Central divisional commander, said: "A great deal of work has been carried out by police and all other emergency services to make the V Festival the enjoyable and safe event that is was.

"But great credit must go to the festival-goers themselves, the majority of whom have enjoyed the fun in a good-natured and well-behaved way.

"We are delighted to report a considerable decrease in crime and disorder and that we were able to deal appropriately with the minor problems that did arise.