THE 2014 Cheltenham Festival drew to a close with nearly a quarter of a million people at the course over the four days but a proportionately small number of arrests.

Commenting on this year’s Festival, Superintendent Jim McCarthy said “Hundreds of thousands of people have visited the town to enjoy this year’s festivities.

“Cheltenham Festival has always been a relatively peaceful event and this year has been no exception.

“We’ve had a number of reports of counterfeit money on site and the usual incidents of pick-pocketing, but as a whole, reports of crime on the site were once again low.

Today there was a report of a theft of a jacket, an incident of touting, four cases of pick-pocketing and theft from a motor vehicle.

The total number of arrests for the week was 10.

“The atmosphere amongst members of the public at the Festival has been a positive one," added Mr McCarthy.

"That feeling has been replicated amongst Emergency Services and racecourse staff as we’ve worked together to keep people safe and deal with any incidents quickly and efficiently and with minimal disruption to law abiding people.”

Police were also called to assist after a horse crashed through a barrier in the third race of the meeting, dismounting the rider.

Officers assisted paramedics in treating the injured man. No members of the public were hurt.