T in the Park Crowd to be Monitored by Night-Vision Cameras

Revellers at this year's T in The Park music festival will be monitored by a hi-tech night vision security camera attached to a blimp in the sky. The giant balloon was introduced at last year’s event to provide police with aerial views of traffic.

The state-of-the-art equipment is being introduced at the festival for the first time, backed up by increased police officers and festival stewards.

Tayside Police are stepping up security measures at the festival in Balado, Kinross-shire, in the hope the night vision facility will help to ensure there is no repeat of the horrific stabbing of a festival-goer at the 2008 event.

Mark Morrison, 23, was knifed 11 times after confronting two men who had assaulted his female friends at the event last July. The incident was recently dealt with by the courts and those responsible were given sentences of nine and nine and a half years.

Chief Superintendent Craig Suttie, the man in charge of policing this year's festival, said: ''I can reassure everyone that safety is our number one priority for the T in the Park community and we are committed to maintaining the festival's proud reputation as a fun and safe event for all."

He added, "We would encourage people if they feel any threats, if they feel there's anything untoward going on, come and speak to one of the police officers, speak to one of the stewards."

Colin Rodger, T in the Park event manager, said: "We have always worked closely with Tayside Police along with the emergency and security services to ensure the highest levels of safety at the festival.

"This is something that we build upon each year and, for 2009, we have introduced additional new on-site security measures. These include community patrolling of campsite, so that the festival’s community spirit continues to flourish.”

Five days to go until this year's T in the Park gets underway, on 10th to 12th July, which will see acts like Kings of Leon, the Killers and Blur headlining.