CRIME at a major Hampshire music festival has fallen, police have revealed.

Police say that crime at Boomtown Fair, held at the Matterley Bowl near Winchester is down compared to last year.

Hampshire Constabulary – which had a heavier police presence, including armed officers at this year's BoomTown Fair, held at the Matterley Bowl near Winchester, this year – said there was almost 50 fewer crimes than in 2016.

In recent years the event, which attracted 60,000 people, has had controversy over drugs use at the festival. Last year Olivia Christopher was found dead in a tent after consuming a variety of drugs, and in 2014, Ellie Rowe,18, from Somerset died after snorting Ketamine.

The event has had four fatalities in the last six years and organisers have tried to solve the issue by having an on-site drug testing facility run by The Loop. More than a 1,000 different drug samples were tested, more than at any other festival.

A spokesperson for Boomtown said: "We got the message out and warned people about substances that cause harm, it feels like we have made a big step in raising awareness and helping to educate people.”

This year the event, which is in its eighth year, saw 127 reported crimes – 49 less than the 176 in 2016. Just over £91,000 worth of drugs were seized by police at the event, as well as more than £77,000 recovered from the amnesty bins used by revellers outside of the event, as well as security staff after interventions on site.

Seventeen people were dealt with for drug possession and 33 people dealt with for possession with intent to supply drugs.

There has been a decrease in reports of thefts from tents, with 38 reported so far, compared to 71 last year. Violence and sexual offences remained low this year with four assaults being reported and three robberies. One sexual offence was reported.

In terms of noise complaints, Winchester City Council say there were only three.

A spokesperson from Winchester City Council said: “ This year Winchester City Council received three direct reports relating to noise levels at Boomtown Fair. All agencies are embarking on individual internal reviews of the event and will meet for a full debrief in due course.”

Superintendent Jason Kenny said: “The increase in the amount of drugs seized demonstrates that the drugs messaging going out to festival goers before the event is working and people are using the amnesty bins. Once on site, preventative measures including dedicated security staff and specialist officers have helped to reduce the potential supply and use of drugs at Boomtown Fair.

“We continue the excellent partnership working across all agencies, throughout the planning process and the actual event itself.”