POLICE say the number of recorded crimes at this year's Reading Festival is down on last year.

Officers recorded 78 crimes so far at the festival, including eight assaults, 15 drug related offences, one public order offence and one offence of going-equipped. One robbery offence has been reported, compared with five robberies last year.

There have been 51 reports of thefts, of which 15 took place in the main arena.

There has also been one report of one rape. Two people have been arrested and bailed in connection with this offence.

There have been 46 arrests made so far. Of these, three were people arrested on suspicion of robbery, one arrested on suspicion of fraud, and others for drugs possession and supply offences and public order offences.

Chief Inspector Dave Parker said: “We are pleased with the slightly lower levels of crime so far at Reading Festival, which has been a result of proactive policing and the good work of on-site security.

“As we come into the final day of the festival, we continue to remind festival goers to observe the safety warnings and keep valuables out of site.

“We look forward to a fun and safe final day here at Reading and are now looking towards the policing required to get people on their way back home safely, later in the day.