Flames and fireworks during Metallica's explosive 2011 Sonisphere headline set at Knebworth

CRIME levels at this year’s Sonisphere Festival were the lowest they have been since the event began at Knebworth House two years ago, police have revealed.

Sonisphere

There were 52 crimes – mainly thefts from tents and people – and a total of 45 arrests were made over the weekend.

Today, police are praising festival-goers as well as local residents for their patience.

Superintendent Simon Hawkins, who was in charge of planning for the event, said: “We have been working with organisers and partners for months to reach our aim of making the festival a safe event for all.

“The planning has well and truly paid off with crime figures to date the lowest they have been since the event began two years ago with no serious offences committed.

“We also made a number of arrests as part of our crime prevention strategy and believe this festival was the safest in the country so far this year in relation to crime.”

Policing of the event – which saw Metallica, Biffy Clyro and Slipknot headline – involved officers in high visibility clothing patrolling the site.

They were supported by officers in plain clothes, covert officers, dog and road policing units, the City of London mounted branch, and help from special constables and police cadets.

Supt Hawkins said: “Our approach to the event, which has received praise in recent years and this year, was friendly but firm policing.

“Our work with organisers is instrumental in ensuring this and I would like to thank them for their support.”

Officers did make use of the Section 30 dispersal order powers to target ticket touts and offenders known to go to festivals purely to commit crime.

Supt Hawkins added: “This is the first time we have used these powers as part of the event and they have proved extremely successful.

“I would like to thank partners for their support in granting the order and other partners for their work around the event.

“I would also like to thank the local community for their co-operation and patience following travel disruption as part of the festival.

“Finally, I look forward to working with organisers again in relation to future events.”

Junction 7 of the A1(M) – shut to non-festival traffic since Thursday – re-opened at noon today.