More rhythm less vine, urge police

Police are urging Rhythm and Vines festival-goers to go easy on alcohol.

Police urge Rhythm and Vines festival-goers to "take it easy on the alcohol" as stricter alcohol rules come into force following previous years' mayhem.

They are "cautiously optimistic" the changes will help stop a repeat of last year's problems which included rioting among campers at Baywatch campground.

Tairawhiti area commander Inspector, Sam Aberahama, said police were hoping for an event-free festival.

"Alcohol is by far our main problem at events like this and we encourage everyone to drink responsibly."

The festival site at Waiohika Estate was a licensed area this year and it was expected this would help control people's drinking.

There were also two new campsites near the festival site this year where people could bring their own alcohol.

But police were opposed to any "bring your own" conditions at festivals like Rhythm and Vines.

Mr Aberahama said police had already encountered several drunk people at campsites run by independent parties.

"There is an onus on the people managing these places to make sure levels of drunkenness are kept to a minimum and everyone is safe."

Yesterday was day two of the festival and so far no arrests had been made, but two people were caught drink-driving at a checkpoint set up near the festival at 8am yesterday.

Pocket-picking was also rife with about 10 reports of cellphones being lifted from bags worn in the festival mosh pit at night.

"If possible, don't take anything of value with you to the festival, but, with things like cellphones and money cards, try to put them in pockets or bum bags that can't be accessed easily," Mr Aberahama said.

Police also asked people to us the buses provided following a number of issues on the first night.