TAYSIDE POLICE yesterday confirmed they are planning to use a blimp with CCTV to improve policing of this year’s T in the Park music festival.

A spokesperson said an “aerial platform for CCTV is actively being considered.”

The Balado blimp will be equipped with a CCTV system to allow the police to oversee every aspect of the event.

It will include co-ordinating traffic and identifying developing problems at an early stage, and monitoring crowd movement and safety.

It will allow the police to deploy resources more effectively and get people home in a more controlled way.

The spokesperson explained, “Last year traffic management was a major problem at the beginning of the event.

“Bearing in mind that the event now attracts in the region of 80,000 people a day it is essential that traffic movement to and from the site is monitored closely.

“Event safety is our overarching priority and the blimp will ensure that any developing issues on the ground can be effectively and safely managed.”

T in the Park organiser Geoff Ellis added, “A surveillance blimp is something we are currently looking into as a result of planning and assessments for this year’s festival.

“Although still very much at a discussion stage, the blimp would be used for traffic management, crowd safety and the creation of aerial footage of the site.

“The blimp would be used to identify and respond to any delays on the roads as it has a camera that can film from long distances plus, police will use it to enhance their on-site crime prevention strategy which has always included CCTV cameras.

“Crime statistics at T in the Park are consistently low and we are keen to maintain this situation.”