A DANCE music all-nighter which attracted 35,000 people to Long Marston Airfield has been hailed a success by Warwickshire Police.

Police said that the Global Gathering's God's Kitchen event, which was held overnight last Saturday saw a reduction in crime and arrests from last year's party.

From the total of 35,000 people that attended, only eight people were arrested. Four were for possession of drugs with intent to supply, with the other four related to vehicle crime.

However, a man was robbed at knifepoint, and two people were taken to hospital after being involved in car accidents near the site.

A man had his gold chain ripped from his neck at knifepoint when he was threatened by a black man and an accomplice at the dance festival. The man produced a six-inch knife and ripped the two-inch crucifix chain from his victim's neck.

A police motorcyclist patrolling the roads around the event was taken to hospital after he was in collision with a Ford Fiesta.

The motorcyclist, who has not been named, but is based at Grays Mallory near Leamington, was in collision with the car, which was being driven by a 78-year-old Shipston man at the Fulready junction on the B4455 Fosse Way at 2.30pm last Saturday.

The motorcyclist was taken to Warwick Hospital suffering from a broken collarbone and a suspected broken leg.

The other accident happened as revellers were leaving the site at about 6.30am last Sunday. A 20-year-old man from Acocks Green, Birmingham, was in collision with a red Renault Clio, being driven by a man from Woburn, on the B4632 at Long Marston. The pedestrian was also taken to Warwick Hospital suffering from a suspected broken leg.

Inspector John Williams of the force communications unit, said: "The event went very successfully due to a close working relationship between police and organisers.

"Overall, there has been reduced crime and drug abuse compared to last year's event."

Paul Reid, senior licensing officer for environmental health at Stratford District Council, which set up a noise complaints hotline, said seven complaints of noise had been received from local residents.

He said: "All these complaints were fully investigated and the organisers were found to be complying with their licence conditions."