A record number of serious assaults took place at T in the Park last year, newly published figures have revealed.

Police said eight incidents of serious violent crime were reported over the three-day event in July 2015, an increase of five on the previous year.

These included six serious assaults, the highest number recorded at the festival. In the previous three years, just one serious assault was committed.

A report from Police Scotland chief superintendent Eddie Smith found incidences of petty assault rose from 15 to 36 and there were 11 criminal threats, which had never previously been recorded.

One rape was reported and seven people were found in possession of weapons. The report revealed the rape and five of the serious assaults took place in the campsite areas.

In contrast to the rise in violent crimes, police said thefts decreased by 8% compared to 2014 while drug-related offences were down 15%.

Drug offences remain the most common crimes committed at T in the Park, with 257 people reported for possession and nine for supply in 2015.

Mr Smith said: "One of the challenges in relation to drugs and serious violent crime brought to TITP 2015 was that of the presence of what was assessed to be a particular type of hallucinogenic ecstasy/MDMA drug although the impact of this anecdotal rather than definitively evidenced.

"One particular serious assault appeared to be directly related."

Last year was the first T in the Park to take place at Strathallan Castle in Perthshire. Between 60,000 and 70,000 people attended each day.