Fans the 'stars of the show' as crime falls at T in the Park

POLICE have praised music fans at T in the Park after arrests at the festival were down on the previous two years.

• The crowds were in high spirits despite the wet weather

There were a total of 53 arrests between Thursday afternoon and this morning, for offences including theft, breach of the peace, minor assault and misuse of drugs.

Tayside Police reported 64 arrests at the same time last year, including one for attempted murder, and 59 over the course of the 2009 event.

There was an increase in drug seizures due to "proactive policing" and incidents of petty assault were down on 2010.

T in the Park came to a conclusion last night with a headline set by US rockers the Foo Fighters. Other high profile names at the event, which attracts 85,000 people to Balado near Kinross, included Beyonc, Coldplay, the Arctic Monkeys and Tom Jones.

Despite heavy rainfall which caused muddy conditions underfoot yesterday, festival organiser Geoff Ellis said this year's festival was the "best ever".

"We were delighted with the behaviour of the fans throughout T in The Park" he said. "Even a deluge of rain on Sunday failed to dampen the great-natured and carnival spirit of the crowd."

• In pictures: Beyonc, Coldplay and Foo Fighters rock T in the Park

• Festival review: Sunshine, showers and a sprinkling of (super)stardust

More coverage at scotsman.com/titp2011

Two men, aged 25 and 23, were arrested in Kinross in an intelligence-led operation, police said. The pair will appear before Perth Sheriff Court today to face theft charges.

Chief Superintendent Craig Suttie, the festival's event commander, said the "first class" crowds had been the stars of the show.

He said: "From our perspective, the success of the weekend can be attributed to the excellent planning that went into delivering this festival by the event organisers, ourselves and other agencies.

"From a policing point of view we, as ever, undertook a great deal of planning for the event and this work was enhanced by the work of our intelligence cell.

"These also married up perfectly with the community style of policing carried out by all our officers and the stewards, who were all superb.

"Thanks to everyone who played a part in T in the Park 2011. We now look ahead to T in the Park 2012, with planning due to begin shortly."