THE number of crimes committed at BoomTown Fair have fallen this year, new police figures have revealed.

According to statistics from Hampshire Constabulary, the number of recorded crimes at the 60,000-capacity event at Matterley Estate fell by around 16 per cent.

The figures show a total of 107 crimes were reported to officers, down from 127 last year and 176 in 2016.

There were falls in drug-related crimes, with 14 people dealt with for possession and 25 for possession with intent to supply, down from 17 and 33, respectively.

It following a big effort from organisers to clamp down on illicit substances at the festival.

As previously reported, Boomtown provided ​pre-event education and awareness this year, as well as onsite drug safety testing ​provided by​ The Loop, roaming campsite welfare teams, 24-hour campsite hubs, fully equipped 24-hour onsite medical facilities, welfare and counselling services​, and an ​onsite police station ​and​ security staff​.

However, the festival did see small increases in a number of areas. Assaults were up from four in 2017 to six this year, and sexual assaults were up from one to two.

Thefts from tents also rose from 38 to 42, after last year saw a decrease of almost half.

Commenting on the figures, Superintendent Kelly Whiting said: “This year’s BoomTown was a successful event with highly effective partnership working between event management, security companies, medical staff, stewards and the police.

“The weather provided a few challenges on occasions, but there was considerably less congestion on local roads than in previous years.

“Crime levels are low given the numbers of people attending. However, we will continue to work with the event organisers – through Winchester City Council’s Safety Advisory Group – to ensure this continues in the years ahead.”

Winchester City Council added that is was "delighted" with the success of this year’s festival.

A spokesman said: "It is a significant event in the district and the council and other agencies, through the Safety Advisory Group, met frequently with the organisers well in advance.

"The discussions focused on safety, traffic, noise, emergency planning and other issues with the aim of minimising the impact of the event. These proved to be both helpful and productive."

The city council council also confirmed that just 11 noise complaints from six residents were received.

A BoomTown spokesman said: "After the bad weather in the lead up to last year and the effect this has on our gates operation, we wanted to ensure that we were as prepared as we could possibly be ahead of the event this year.

"Over the months leading up to the festival our event management team, contractors and the local authorities have all worked in close collaboration with each other to ensure that a safe event, with minimal impact on the local area is delivered, and we feel that this has been achieved."