The message that it is not worth "looking for trouble" at the Alexandra Blossom Festival seems to be getting through, police say, with the number of arrests this year the lowest for 15 years.
Twenty-four people, a mixture of locals and visitors, were arrested during the busiest part of the festival, from Friday night until 5pm yesterday, mostly in Alexandra and Roxburgh, Central Otago police sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said.
He put the decrease in alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour down to proactive policing and a "different attitude" from festival-goers.
"Although the cold weather and the Rugby World Cup game in Dunedin may have contributed to smaller crowds, we found there was a different atmosphere over the weekend, with pretty much everyone we talked to friendly and co-operative.
"You always get the odd idiot, of course, who gets themself arrested, but the feedback we got from the public was that they were pleased with such a visible police presence. It was a very family-orientated festival and people talked about how safe they felt being here."
Police numbers in Central Otago were boosted by 34 extra officers, based in Roxburgh, Ranfurly, Alexandra and Cromwell.
"My hope is the message is getting through that it's not worth looking for trouble at this event and we want to make sure families enjoy themself and feel safe while they're here."
The charges faced by those arrested include "minor" assaults, breaching the liquor ban, disorderly behaviour and wilful damage, he said.
Those who were released on bail will appear before a registrar in the Alexandra District Court on Wednesday and be remanded to October 19, while those charged with non-imprisonable offences will appear before justices of the peace in the Alexandra District Court on October 12.
A big crowd attended the Thunder Sunday drag racing at the Alexandra Airport yesterday. One person was arrested, after doing a burnout in front of a policeman -"not the brightest thing to do", Snr Sgt Kerrisk said. The driver was charged with drink-driving.
Police had not offered "guilty plea letters" to those arrested for minor offences this year. Snr Sgt Kerrisk said that followed a directive from national police headquarters last week.
