Drugs warning to festival-goers

Plain clothes officers and drugs dogs will be on patrol

Tayside Police have warned music fans there will be a zero tolerance policy on drugs at T in the Park.

The festival runs from Friday evening to Sunday, with about 80,000 people expected each day over the weekend.

Drugs amnesty bins will be placed at the entrance to the campsite, where those attending can put illegal substances without fear of prosecution.

However, police said that anyone caught with drugs inside the venue at Balado would be arrested.

There will be extra officers on patrol in Kinross and Milnathort and a "substantial" number in the T in the Park arena itself.

Pollution issues

They will include plain clothes officers and specialist drugs sniffer dogs.

Last year 66 people were arrested at the festival, 30 of whom were kept in custody for court - 16 for drugs-related offences and 14 for a mixture of crimes including assault, breach of the peace and theft.

Perth and Kinross Council will also be active at the event. Staff will be on site to deal with questions about potential noise, drugs and alcohol, waste or pollution issues.

There will also be additional parking warden patrols in Kinross and Milnathort.

Police will also be monitoring the traffic situation, using a blimp to give them an aerial view of what is going on.

Festival-goers have been urged to keep themselves safe by coming prepared for all weather conditions, bringing warm clothes if they are camping overnight, and making sure they have any medications with them.

Revellers at the event in previous years have enjoyed a carnival atmosphere with by far the vast majority behaving themselves Ch Supt Matt Hamilton

People are warned to keep valuables and credit cards at home and look after their mobile phones.

They are urged to remember which car park they parked in and make sure a meeting point is arranged in case they become separated from friends.

Those attending are asked to come by public transport rather than car.

Ch Supt Matt Hamilton said: "Despite the large numbers of people that descend on Balado each year, the event is welcomed by Tayside Police and the local communities.

"This year the festival is going to be the biggest and best-attended, and will provide an excellent opportunity for Tayside Police to demonstrate how well we can police such a high-profile event.

"T in the Park is now a recognised feature of the Scottish summer. Revellers at the event in previous years have enjoyed a carnival atmosphere with by far the vast majority behaving themselves and the event passing without any major incidents.

"Even though we have policed this event for a number of years now, we are never complacent and always make sure that public safety is paramount. We are looking forward to policing T in the Park 2008."

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