COLCHESTER Council bosses appear to have ruled out the return of the popular Oktoberfest after dozens of complaints from residents about the two-day event.

The beer-based bonanza took place on last Friday and Saturday in Colchester Castle Park and was attended by thousands of people.

It was understood organisers were keen to make the event an annual fixture but after receiving a number of complaints from people living in the Dutch Quarter, a return now appears to be out of the question.

Residents reported “very loud music” on both Friday and Saturday with “an extremely heavy bass”.

A spokesman for the Dutch Quarter Residents’ Association said: “There were absolutely no stewards supervising the crowds as they left the event so there were hundreds of people, many of them drunk, marauding through our streets.

“Residents complained of people climbing on walls, walking over cars and interfering with wipers and wing mirrors.

“One resident had a window broken and people were also observed urinating in Ryegate Road.”

A Colchester Events Company spokesman wrote to residents, stating: “I would like to apologise for any disruption, disturbance or inconvenience that the event caused.

“Despite meticulous planning and liaison with the event promoter, specific control measures fell short of the standards we would expect and therefore these are being fully investigated.

“Due diligence surrounding the event was undertaken on application and upon positive feedback and reassurance for the event organiser, Colchester Event Company made a decision to progress with the event opportunity.

“Assurances were made regarding access, control of noise and anti-social behaviour. However, on reflection and review, these could have been better implemented.”

The letter also said despite noise complaints, music from the event adhered to a 65 decibel limit.

It added: “The music element of Oktoberfest events is secondary to the main attraction, therefore, the letter contact for residents that we stipulate for large music events was not supplied.

“On reflection, this judgement may have been a miscommunication.

“Late night noise from set down was also reported for which I can only apologise as this was not scheduled.

“Disturbance from people leaving the event was also not expected to the levels experienced. Security staff were posted along the exit routes.

“However, it appears that disturbance occurred in the less immediate areas to the event venue.

“There was no glass on site, only plastic drink receptacles were in use so reports of smashed glass need to be further investigated. A full review of the event will take place.

“It is highly unlikely that there will be a repeat of anything similar in the future.

“This message will be conveyed to the event organiser. The event has also prompted a review of procedures and operational site management arrangements to ensure that the relevant controls are in place moving forward.”

A Colchester Council spokesperson added: “We have already written to the Dutch Quarter Residents’ Association to apologise for the disruption, disturbance and inconvenience caused by last weekend’s Oktoberfest in Castle Park.

“Despite planning and liaison resulting in reassurances from the event promoter regarding access, control of noise and anti-social behaviour, on reflection controls could have been better implemented.

"A full review of the event, our procedures and operational site-management arrangements will now take place.”

Darius Laws, Colchester Conservative councillor for Castle Ward, said: “It is clear large amounts of people leaving en masse has proved difficult and perhaps that is something we could look at in the future.”