Bar 42 Peterborough – stripped of its premises licence following allegations of violence and a rape – remain subject to “ongoing police investigations”, says a city council report. Councillors concluded that “it is clear the premises licence holder is not in control of the premises and does not take their responsibilities under the Licensing Act seriously.
“The premises, as currently operated, are a danger to members of the public.
“The management have not acted on advice from the police and licensing authority over time.
“We say the premises are associated with serious crime and disorder. We have considered various conditions but do not believe that additional conditions are appropriate in order to promote the licensing objectives, in this instance.”
Secrecy surrounds much of the investigation as was explained to members of Peterborough City Council licensing subcommittee that voted to revoke the premises licence on Tuesday.
Councillors were shown documents containing “sensitive information including ongoing police investigations not available for public viewing”.
These included a DVD containing images of incidents at the premises which was “also submitted as additional evidence by Cambridgeshire Constabulary to support their application.
“A copy of the DVD was served at the premises licence holders offices – the additional documentation contains sensitive material and therefore are not available for public viewing”.
The city council revoked the premises licence for the Broadway, Peterborough, night club although conflicting accounts emerged about key incidents “that have triggered this assessment”.
Three incidents have been made public and these are:
1: 5th November 2023 – a 17 year -old girl, say police, was raped during a visit to Bar 42.
“The suspect was identified to door supervision at the time of the offence,” says a police report. “Door staff failed to detain the suspect at the scene.”
In mitigation the club owners told the committee there was “no evidence a 17 year old girl had been on the premises. Alleged rape victim not raped.
“17 year suspect was probably part of a group upstairs who were allowed to be on the premises until 8pm. “Suspect detained but escaped”.
2: 11th July 2024 – violent disorder. Police say there was a fight that started within the premises. Reports received from the public and neighbouring premises; no report made by staff at Bar 42. Glass used as a weapon during the incident.
“A review of CCTV shows security are not present and do not appear to deal with the incident, which spills into Broadway, outside,” says a police report to the committee.
“Police requested the scene was preserved within Bar 42- this instruction was not followed, and potential evidence has been lost.”
The club says the 11th of July incident took place on a night when England were playing football. They told police they are “not a football pub. Customer called police”.
They also said owners were “actively involved in ejecting violent persons from premises”.
3: 20th July 2024 – Two cases of grievous bodily harm followed a fight.
“The initial report to police was from Peterborough City Hospital confirming a male had been assaulted within the premises by 4 or 5 males,” says the report to the subcommittee.
“No call was provided to police by Bar 42 or any management / security.
“CCTV has been reviewed and it shows a male assaulted by 6 others for unknown reasons by punching, kicking, and stamping on his head whilst on the floor.
“One of the victims suffered a bleed on the brain, orbital and spinal fractures.
“The investigation identifies that potential witnesses are forcefully ejected from the premises. The suspects leave the location unchallenged. The suspects did not scan identification on entry to the premises.”
The report adds: “There is a suggestion that these persons are regular patrons and known at the premises. This has been offered as mitigation for incorrect entrance procedure being followed”.
Bar 42 owners told police that in respect of the 20th of July a 999 call was made. They emphasised that no drugs are sold from the premises, there were no child sexual offences and no underage sales
Inspector Sam Tucker of Cambridgeshire Police told the committee: “The response by the premises to these incidents has been harmful to investigations and it is believed that their continued operation poses a risk to the public.
“There is no evidence of intervention by security staff to prevent incidents from occurring and no identified mitigation to suggest that further incidents of serious violence are no likely at the premises.
“These incidents have been identified to police by persons not connected with the premises. There is reasonable assumption that can be made to suggest that further incidents have occurred but remain unreported.”
A city council statement yesterday (Wednesday) confirmed that the premises licence – which allows for the sale of alcohol – for Bar 42 has been revoked.
“An application made under section 53a of the Licensing Act 2003 was made by Cambridgeshire Constabulary to expedite a review of the license of the business trading as Bar 42 following a series of serious violent incidents,” said the statement.
“Despite licensing officers from both the council and police advising the premises over many months, concerns have escalated.”
Inspector Tucker added: “We note the decision of the committee and believe there was no option but to take this action following the recent incidents which have been of such severity and violence.
“We have worked with the licence holder with advice being given to address issues, however we were still concerned for public safety within the venue which is why this application was made and ultimately resulted in the licence being revoked.”
Cllr Dennis Jones, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “Our utmost priority is ensuring the safety of the public when they visit licensed premises in Peterborough and in this instance, the sub committee’s decision is the correct and appropriate action to take.
“I hope the decision also serves as a warning to any licensed premises that we will look took appropriate action whenever we become aware of serious licence breaches.”
The bar will have a right to appeal the decision and have been advised accordingly.
A decision notice from the city council confirms that additional information about the club’s activities were reported to the licensing subcommittee on Tuesday when councillors viewed CCTV footage of the incidents that took place on 11th July and 20th July.
“These were serious outbreaks of violence and disorder,” says the statement. “Staff either did not contain matters quickly or did very little and did not contact emergency services”.
“With a premises licence there comes responsibility.
“Responsibility to uphold and promote the licensing objectives. This is not passive and, in our view, requires constant review and action.
“We accept that the parties have different views and recollections of the incidents. Respective accounts are simply at odds.
“We make our decision based on the balance of probabilities on the information before us. We note the additional conditions offered by the licensee.
“However, it is clear the premises licence holder is not in control of the premises and does not take their responsibilities under the Licensing Act seriously. The premises, as currently operated, are a danger to members of the public.
“The management have not acted on advice from the police and licensing authority over time. We say the premises are associated with serious crime and disorder. “We have considered various conditions but do not believe that additional conditions are appropriate in order to promote the licensing objectives, in this instance.”
The statement concluded: “In order to promote the licensing objectives, we believe it is necessary and appropriate to:
- Revoke the premises licence in its entirety. If any person is aggrieved with this decision, they have 21 days from today to appeal to the magistrates’ court sitting in Peterborough. There is usually a fee to pay.
Finally, we have reviewed the interim steps and determine that the suspension of the licence remains until the expiry of the 21 day period, or any appeal is determined.
Any party in objection to the decision may appeal to the Peterborough Magistrates Court within 21 days of receiving this formal notice at: Peterborough Court House, Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1ED. Tel No. 01223 376000.
There is a fee to pay. Finally, we have reviewed the interim steps and determine that the suspension of the licence remains until the expiry of the 21 day period, or any appeal is determined.
The statement was signed by Councillor Steve Allen, subcommittee chairman
