Police support Castletown Festival

Zero tolerance for antisocial behaviour

After being marred by controversy in 2017, Castletown Festival 2018 is going ahead as planned.

Police clamped down on the annual event last year, amid claims of worsening anti-social behaviour.

Complaints of drunken hooliganism, property damage and assaults on police officers led the force to hit Castletown Commissioners with restrictive licence conditions last year.

But a recent Freedom of Information request undermined those concerns, when it was revealed that in the last five years, just five arrests had been made.

Of those, only one resulted in a prosecution.

The Constabulary says its claims should not be judged merely on those figures, though.

It goes on to say it will 'continue to support local events' but poor behaviour and underage drinking will not be tolerated in future.

This year's Festival will feature all the usual entertainment from 1pm, with a headline performance by Take That tribute act Reload at 8pm.