Police prepare for next Rock Ness

Police praised the behaviour of the majority of the festival goers

Police have started planning for next year's Rock Ness music festival, just two days after this year's event ended.

Event commander David O'Connor said he had mixed feelings about how the major gathering of musicians and fans went.

He said his thoughts were with the family of teenager Ryan Munro, who died on Saturday.

Several arrests were made in connection with alleged drug offences and officers have been following positive lines of inquiry following camp site thefts.

However, there was praise from police for how the majority of fans behaved.

Supt O'Connor, of Northern Constabulary, said: "Rock Ness 2008 has passed without any serious incidents of disorder and we would praise the revellers for their conduct throughout the weekend.

"Obviously there is sadness too with the tragic death of Ryan Munro on Saturday and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."

Drug dealing

An estimated 35,000 people attended the festival to see acts including Razorlight, Editors and Fatboy Slim.

Supt O'Connor said: "This is my third year at Rock Ness and we have a solid plan in place now, although as with everything else we will sit down and discuss the event and see where we can improve for next year.

"The planning for next year's event starts today and we will pull all the learning points together to ensure a safe and secure Rock Ness in 2009."

Nine people will be reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with alleged drug dealing offences.

Seven drink-drivers and one drug-driver will also be reported to the following incidents in and around the venue.