The festival site in Mote Park
Police and council chiefs have hailed the major operation put in place for the Big Weekend in Maidstone a “huge success”.
By mid-afternoon on the second day of the free music festival in Mote Park there had been no arrests.
Parking and transport plans had also led to no disruptions for residents and festival-goers getting to and from the event easily.
Superintendent Ian Hall, the police event commander, said: “We are absolutely delighted with it. We have been involved since the start in planning the logistics.
“From a police point of view our stance is that we have been in background as there is security in place.
“We wanted to have a presence to reassure anyone who has not been to Maidstone before to make them want to come back again.
“There have been no arrests to date that can be attributed to this event. If you look at the dynamics, the ticket allocation does not allow large groups of people to come.
“They came in pairs or in groups of four friends. It has also been a very mature audience and there has been a good atmosphere. We want to thank everyone for this.”
Trevor Gasson, the deputy chief executive of Maidstone council, said: “It has been an excellent weekend. From our point of view the planning has been immaculate. We have not had an parking, transport or security problems.
“Most important the profile of Maidstone nationally and internationally has gone through the roof.
“It is too early to say what the economic effect for Maidstone will be, but hotels and beds and breakfasts have been fully booked for some time.
“There will be a long term effect with people who have seen on TV what a great place Maidstone and Mote Park is coming here.
“There has been a wonderful atmosphere and the people of Maidstone have got to see quality acts that do not normally come here.”
Maidstone was chosen from a shortlist with Southampton and Norwich to host this year’s Big Weekend.
The professionalism and enthusiasm of Mr Gasson’s team has been credited with being a major reason why Radio 1 choose to host the event in the county town.