A senior police officer in the west of the Island has paid tribute to members of the special constabulary after a particularly busy few days in the area.

Inspector Mark Britton from the Western Neighbourhood Policing Team says the first weekend in July represented a considerable challenge for his team with a number of key events over the last weekend, including the Viking Longboat Festival, the Peel Pirates Fun Day, and Tynwald celebrations.

Inspector Britton (pictured) says despite large numbers of people attending the events there was very little trouble, and only two arrests for drink related offences. He claims part of this success was down to officers dealing with drinkers early and taking alcohol from a number of young people who WERE old enough to drink - with their permission - as they agreed that they had probably drunk too much.

Police estimate that the weekend's celebrations and festivals attracted crowds of up to 5,000 people and the inspector believes the policing of the events, and others in the west including Bishopscourt Garden party and Cronk-y-Voddy Sports, could not have been done without the help of colleagues from the Special Constabulary.

He says he's personally indebted to them for their help during this busy time.