THE vast majority of crimes committed during the TT Festival were by locals, Police have revealed.

A total of 198 people were arrested during the fortnight, with 78 per cent of them being Manx residents.

Out of those arrested 167 were male and 31 female and the biggest proportion of arrests (48 per cent) was in the 18 to 25 year age group.

However police are positive about the statistics which are on the same level as last year despite an increase in visitors.

Superintendent Paul Cubbon said: '"There was a good vibe to this year’s TT. The entertainment certainly lifted people’s spirits and we would estimate there were 6,000 to 8,000 people on the promenade on the nights through the busiest weekend (the middle weekend which included Mad Sunday).

"That makes me feel it’s a positive that arrests equalled last year’s when there was much greater numbers of visitors and locals on the promenade.

"Most arrests were for drunkenness or public order offences because we have a policy of early intervention and there was a really good, friendly, almost carnival atmosphere in Douglas.

"The entertainment played a big part in that. People enjoyed themselves and they felt safe. I feel really positive about it. I have worked the promenade for the last four years and I think this was definitely a good year."

Supt Cubbon and Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts patrolled Douglas on seven nights during the festival.

Supt Cubbon added: "This was my 25th TT and we have been policing the festival for 100 years. We are renowned for how we do police it.

"Other police forces can’t believe we do it within our own resources. Our officers do long hours but they keep a smile on their face, they always engage with people and the feedback is always extremely positive.

"The number of times a police officer hands over their white helmet for a photograph is an indication."

For the past 12 years German police officer Ewald Temmen has assisted the Isle of Man Constabulary during TT.

He experienced a reduction in German visitors requiring his assistance and it has not been confirmed whether he will return next year.

Supt Cubbon said: "The culture of the TT has changed significantly in recent years. People used to be concentrated in Douglas but campsites around the Island are becoming miniature villages for the festival with their own entertainment, although it was noticeable more people attended the entertainment on the promenade this year.

"Despite that it is another positive that arrests for drink driving fell to just eight, compared with 20 last year and 19 in both the two previous years.

"However, arrests for drug offences increased thanks to officers proactively targeting the boats and campsites with the use of passive dogs."

Out of the arrests, 17 were for assaults, 55 were for public order offences, 40 were for drunkeness, eight for drink driving, 14 for criminal damage and 36 drug arrests.

Meanwhile, planning has already started on next year’s festival.

Supt Cubbon added: "We will attend a debrief on the racing and a debrief on the TT Festival as a whole and we will pull the positives out of those to build on for next year.

"We anticipate even more visitors next year because 2011 will be the centenary of the Mountain circuit, so it could be a record year on a par with the centenary and our policing plan will be geared up for that."

Superintendent Paul Cubbon