Police praise Tall Ships Races visitors after revealing there were only two arrests over the five-day event

A spectacular 50-strong fleet including some of the world’s most magnificent vessels anchored on Wearside last week as part of a five-day festival to celebrate the city’s maritime heritage.

Thousands of visitors descended on Sunderland to join in the festivities which marked the first leg of the Races to Esbjerg, Denmark.

Police say there were only two arrests at the event, one for possession of a Class B drug cannabis and another for drunk and disorderly.

Every day police officers were on duty at the event to keep the public safe, and Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt, Northumbria Police’s silver commander for The Tall Ships Races 2018, has praised residents and visitors, saying there was very little trouble over the weekend.“The last few days have been an absolute pleasure to be part of and it was great that this event showcased the very best of Sunderland and South Tyneside,”

Ch Supt Pitt said: "A lot of hard work was put in by event organisers, ourselves and our partners to ensure The Tall Ships were a success and I was delighted to see all that planning and effort richly rewarded.

“We experienced very little trouble across the weekend, and I would like to thank everybody who turned out to celebrate this city’s maritime history.

"It was an event that will live long in the memory.

“As ever with large-scale events like this, there was the potential for disruptions on our roads and challenges in terms of policing a five-day festival.

"However, I am thrilled that the event passed without major incident, and with everyone in good spirits.

“I’d like to thank members of the public for being so patient when coming to and leaving the event site, as well as the organisers and our motor patrol officers who minimised any heavy delays on the roads.

“A number of officers have already commented how fantastic it was to be part of such an event, speaking with the local community and sharing in the colour and excitement that the Tall Ships brought to the region.

“With the Sunderland Airshow just around the corner, this is just the start of what should be a hugely exciting summer.”

The Force’s Marine Unit were on hand to keep the port secure, armed officers were deployed on the ground to offer reassurance and motor patrol officers managed the traffic to get people on and off the site as safely and efficiently as possible.

They were all ably assisted by the ever-popular Dog Section and Mounted Section, who attracted the crowds as they patrolled across each of the four event zones.