Winehouse will not be charged with assault

But reported crime has doubled at Glastonbury

29 June 2008

No Police action will be taken against Amy Winehouse after she appeared to strike a fan in the front row of her Glastonbury performance on the Pyramid Stage. Reported crime at the event has doubled since last year, however.

Police say they have received no official complaints of assault from the male fan in question who was seen by millions watching live on BBC TV on Saturday night to be hit by the singer after he had reached out and touched her, although it was not clear whether she had used her elbow or fist.

Festival founder Michael Eavis later defended the star and described her overall show as a "triumph".

He said: "She was absolutely brilliant and I think she became a superstar last night I really do."

He added that Winehouse had even asked if she could headline next year's event.

Winehouse's one-hour performance was her first full UK show for seven months and followed widespread speculation that she might cancel after being diagnosed with emphesyma days before the event.

Her spokesman claimed that at least 75,000 people had watched the performance and that organisers had never seen the field so full (except, presumably, when The Levellers famously drew a reported 500,000 to the Pyramid Stage back in 1994).

He added that "one person misbehaving" did not spoil the singer's enjoyment of her performance.

Police have confirmed that at least 170,000 people were on site this morning (Sunday). Crime has almost doubled compared with the same stage of the festival last year, with 451 reported offences, up from 236 in 2007. Much of that increase is down to a rise in thefts from tents. Despite this, many are claiming that the atmosphere is among the best this decade and considerably improved on last year's damp event.

Veteran singer Neil Diamond was one of the main performers at the festival today (Sunday), singing a number of classic hits including 'Sweet Caroline'.

Leonard Cohen, The Verve, Mark Ronson and Stackridge - the band that played the first Glastonbury set in 1970 - are also taking to the stage on the event's closing day.

Stay posted for our comprensive editorial, photographic and video coverage of the festival.