STRICTLY '˜ATTACK': Dancer refuses to make police complaint as probe goes on

He was reportedly the victim of an unprovoked attack in the town centre after performing live at the Tower Ballroom last Saturday, but he has refused to make a formal police complaint.

Coun Paul Galley told a meeting of Blackpool Council: “Will we be looking to have higher security when these events are on?

“Because the cost to our reputation when things go wrong is potentially huge.”

But council leader Coun Simon Blackburn said safety should be a priority all the time.

He said: “I take the safety and security of all visitors to Blackpool very seriously and expect the police to do likewise.

“I wouldn’t want to be in a situation where we are privileging some over others.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said it was liasing with the BBC to seek the accounts of two people who were with Mr Marquez. He added CCTV taken from the Flamingo nightclub, close to where the attack allegedly happened, has revealed no sign of an attack and he thanked the club for its assistance.

The spokesman added: “We want people who come to Blackpool to enjoy the experience and do so in a safe environment.

“Blackpool has a history of successfully hosting high profile events and police always work closely with event organisers and partners in the local authority to ensure that plans are in place appropriate to the nature of the event.”