EXTRA high-visibility police patrols are being introduced in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens ahead of the air festival.

Police and councillors have moved to reassure the public after four teenagers were stabbed just minutes after the fireworks ended on Friday night.

Thousands of people were in the area at the time of the incident, which led to the arrest of four teenage girls and a boy.

And visitors to the town the following day could clearly see a large police cordon near the mini golf.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected in the town for the four-day air festival, which starts on Thursday.

And police and councillors hope Friday night’s events will not put them off coming to the town.

There are still three fireworks events to go, on Friday and Saturday this week and on Friday September 6.

Bournemouth town centre Councillor Hazel Allen said: “I think what happened on Friday was an exception.

“We do have issues in the Lower Gardens but there is a lot going on in the background that perhaps people don’t know about.

“Youth workers and the council are out and about and there is a strong police presence.”

Superintendent Jared Parkin of Dorset Police said there will be an increased police presence. It will include armed officers, as has been the case at previous air festivals and major events.

He added: “Our priority is to make sure that people feel safe, and also to ensure that they are safe.”

A 14-year-old boy from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of assault following the incident on Friday night.

Three 15-year-old girls and a 13-year-old girl, all from Bournemouth, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. All five have been questioned and released under investigation.

Following the incident police used a Section 60 order which gives police increased stop and search powers. It was in place until Sunday morning.

Section 60 orders have been widely used in London due to a spate of knife crime but it is unusual for such an order to be used in Dorset. There are currently no plans to apply for any further orders.

Supt Parkin said Operation Fireglow, an initiative to stop disorder and anti-social behaviour in the Gardens during school holidays, has continued this year. He said problems are decreasing.