POLICE in Maidstone say the town's River Festival at the weekend was a major success with no major incidents.

Only one person was arrested during the three-day event. That was for drunken behaviour.

Visitor numbers were down compared with recent years. This is thought to be due to the recent flooding, hampering boats from attending the event.

On Saturday, police were out in force in the town centre and down by the river, mixing with revellers and ensuring that people were enjoying the festival safely and responsibly. Due to the high police presence in town, festival crime was kept to a minimum.

Ch Insp Ian Hall said: "Following a significant police operation where officers were engaging with the public, only one arrest was made for drunken behaviour, which can be directly attributed to the River Festival.

"There was a real party atmosphere, with a large attendance of families and I would like to thank organisers, licensees and the public for making it such an enjoyable event, enabling my officers to take a reassurance role rather than an enforcement role.”

DON'T MISS THE FULL STORY AND MORE PICTURES IN THIS FRIDAY'S KENT MESSENGER