January 1, 200719 yr Thousands gather for Fatboy Slim's Brighton gig amid beach safety fears Last updated at 15:38pm on 1st January 2007 Fatboy Slim, also known as Quentin Leo Cook and also known as Norman Cook Thousands of revellers gathered today for a party at Brighton beach hosted by DJ Fatboy Slim. Organisers have taken a number of safety precautions this year after the Hove-based DJ's last gig on the beach provoked fears over safety. Public transport was overwhelmed in July 2002 and emergency services had to weave through crowded streets because the party attracted 250,000 people instead of the anticipated 60,000. A woman fell to her death from railings in the aftermath and more than 30 people were injured during chaotic scenes in which a lifeboat had to be used to pluck people from the sea and revellers clung to ambulances to escape the crowds. Speaking before today's gig the DJ, born Quentin Leo Cook and also known as Norman Cook, said: "There's been a lot of planning. We don't want anyone to get hurt, we don't want anyone to get cold." Sussex Police have said lessons have been learnt from the last party, and this year will be a safe event. Only 20,000 people, who had to have a Brighton - BN - postcode to buy the £30 tickets, will be admitted to the Big Beach Boutique 3 and organisers have warned people who don't have a ticket not to turn up. Neither the stage nor the audience will be on the pebbled beach but on the road in front of it, and the area is enclosed. The beach adjacent to the site is also fenced off. More than 130 police officers will be on duty - paid for by the event organisers - and a coastguard patrol boat in the water, and stewards on the beach, will watch for and eject anyone who tries to access the beach. There is also be a field hospital on site equipped to treat minor injuries and ailments, and there are two heated "warm-up" tents. The DJ - who will play a two hour set this evening - added: "Since the last time I did this if I was wandering round town at least five people would come up and say: 'When are you going to have another beach party?' It's taken us four years. "There's nothing better than playing in your home town with a beautiful beach." He added that he would like to hold a Brighton beach party every year for the rest of his career. "I prefer to do it in summer but I don't think it's going to be feasible. Enough people descend on Brighton just to sit on the beach."
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