Police Praise Future Music Festival Crowds After Arrests

10 March 2014 | 9:51 am | Staff Writer

Sydney and Melbourne events took place over the weekend

High-visibility police presences at the Melbourne and Sydney Future Music Festivals have resulted in a number of arrests over the weekend, with authorities praising the behaviour of the majority of the crowd.

The festival visited Sydney on Saturday and Melbourne on Sunday and in Sydney 163 people were given notices to appear in court for possession of illicit drugs and four were charged with drug supply. 82 individuals were refused entry or ejected from the event, the majority for people intoxicated.

In Melbourne, 48 people were arrested – 45 for drug diversions with three receiving cannabis cautions.

NSW Police reported that the number of people attended to by Ambulance Paramedics was down on previous years. With 47,000 people attending the festival at Randwick Racecourse Operation Commander, Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate said, “Overall, the behaviour of the large crowd inside the venue was very good with no major incidents or disturbances.

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"While most of the crowd were well behaved, there were still a few who were caught in possession of illicit drugs, although revellers are warned about the dangers of recreational drugs – especially when mixed with alcohol.”

Out of the Melbourne arrests 44 were made before punters entered the festival and Senior Sergeant Mark Pilkington said, “These drugs are manufactured by criminals and people have no idea what they are taking or the real risks involved.”

The festival visits Adelaide today.