‘Great atmosphere’ quashes Perth Show booze fears

Aug 10 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A SENIOR officer from Tayside Police yesterday praised the “great atmosphere” at the weekend’s 148th Perth Show.

Around 10,000 spectators flocked to the Fair City’s South Inch on Friday and Saturday and enjoyed one of the highlights of the local social calendar.

Tayside Police Inspector Ian Martin said: “I was on duty on Saturday and there was a good crowd and a great atmosphere.

“It was really busy, but there weren’t any issues with overly-rowdy behaviour at all.

“I think the changes to the licence worked well, having the stewards onsite didn’t seem to detract from the overall experience – everyone was simply there to enjoy themselves.

“Our officers reported that the centre of Perth was really busy later in the evening on both – as is to be expected – but again, there were no major incidences, which is obviously pleasing.”

As reported in Friday’s PA, Perth and Kinross licensing board took the unprecedented step of approving the use of bouncers at this year’s show after police raised concerns over “rowdy and drunken” antics last year.