City beach party 'will be safe'

The 2002 party ended in chaos after 250,000 people turned up

Fatboy Slim's beach party in Brighton on New Year's Day will be a safe event, Sussex police have said.

Two days ahead of the event which will see 20,000 people gather, officers said they would like to think they had "covered virtually every contingency".

On Friday, Chief Supt Kevin Moore said lessons had been learned from the 2002 event which ended in chaos after 250,000 people turned up.

He said it was "fortunate" the event in July 2002 did not end in catastrophe.

He said: "Clearly, lessons have been learnt from the holding of that event, and frankly, this is a much safer event than was held on that occasion.

Only come if you have got a ticket Jim King

"A hell of a lot of safety advisory group meetings have taken place, and as best as we can be we are convinced that the event will be run as a safe event."

He added that police would be able to cater for excess numbers but there was "little point in these people attending, they are only going to be a hindrance".

Jim King, event manager for Loudsound LPD, said organisers were feeling "positive" about the sold-out event, but added: "Only come if you have got a ticket."

'Warm-up' tents

The party is being held in an enclosed area on the road in front of the beach, and the beach will be fenced off.

More than 130 police officers will be on duty, paid for by the event organisers.

The police chief said there would also be a coastguard patrol boat in the water, and stewards on the beach.

A field hospital will be set up on site to deal with minor injuries, and there will be two heated "warm-up" tents.

In 2002, public transport was overwhelmed and emergency services had to pass through crowded streets after 250,000 people turned up to the event where 60,000 people were expected.

The Hove-based DJ, also known as Norman Cook, will be on stage from 1800 GMT.