Issue - meetings

To consider an application by the Metropolitan Police for a review of the premises license at Kelco Bar.

Keith Betts presented the licensing report, outlining an application by the Metropolitan Police for a review of the premises licence at Kelco Bar, 18 High Street, Hornsey, N8 7PB.

Insp Hembury, Metropolitan Police, commenced the Police evidence, and invited Sgts Tisi and Kneebone to present their statements regarding the night of 12^th March 2011 as set out in the documentation. It was reported that on that night, Sgt Tisi had responded to a complaint regarding noise at the premises with a member of the Council’s noise team. After speaking with the licensee, the licensee had decided to close the premises as the situation was not under control. A large crowd had subsequently formed outside the premises, causing noise and public disturbances. Additional police units were called to manage the situation, and Sgt Kneebone reported that she and other officers had spent over two hours attempting to disperse the crowd, and that it had been necessary for the police to use shields and CS gas, due to the nature of the situation they were faced with. Insp Hembury showed the Committee extracts of a DVD of CCTV footage taken outside the venue on 12^th March 2011.

In response to a question from the Committee, the Police confirmed that they had recognised some of the individuals outside the premises as being members of local gangs. The Committee asked about the conduct of the groups outside the venue, and it was reported that people were drinking, shouting, being abusive and that when police attempted to disperse the crowd, individuals were running away and throwing missiles at the police from a distance. There were also fights taking place within the groups. In response to a question from the Committee regarding the management of the venue on the 12^th March, Sgt Tisi reported that the situation appeared out of control and that the licensee had not expected such a situation to arise. It was reported that it had taken the licensee a minute to unlock the rear door to the premises, which Sgt Tisi recalled had been bolted at the top and bottom.

The Committee asked whether the police had witnessed any persons entering the premises after 1am, as this had appeared to be the case from the CCTV footage; the police had not witnessed anyone entering the premises after they believed it had been closed, although they could not confirm either way.

Eubert Malcolm, Enforcement Response, presented the noise team representation. It was noted that most of the history of noise at the premises dated from before the present licensee had taken over at the premises. On the basis of the noise team report, Mr Malcolm confirmed the account of the night of the 12^th March 2011 as set out by the police evidence. From an Enforcement point of view, it was essential that the issue of SIA-registered door staff be addressed. In response to a question from the Committee, Mr Malcolm reported that there had been a history  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46