Pub facing police clampdown

A pub at the scene of a stabbing which left a man close to death was facing a security clampdown by police today.

The Villiers Arms in Bilston could face restrictions on its opening hours or even closure.

It comes after police compiled a dossier of violence, including the attack on the 28-year-old in the street outside. Police have also criticised the management of the pub and said "little or no help" had been offered to police after violence had flared. It now wants the licence reviewed.

Residents, who are often frightened to report trouble, say drinkers cause a nuisance when they leave the Villiers Square pub.

In a report to council chiefs, Wednesfield licensing officer Michael Pearce said: "There have been several incidents of drunk behaviour, fighting and two incidents of substantial disorder at the premises. On one occasion the victim almost died after being stabbed.

"There have been numerous complaints of nuisance, people urinating in the street, shouting and swearing in the early hours of the morning.

"The manager, Wayne Dicken, has an attitude of 'If it's happened outside it is not my problem'. It is the belief of the police that he has also continued licensing activities outside his permitted times, which he will dispute."

As well as the stabbing, which happened in January, police were called to New Cross Hospital's A&E department at 4am on February 22 where a fight had broken out.

Three men and a woman were found with injuries they had received at the pub.

Vicky Averis, a spokeswoman for Enterprise Inns, the pub operator which owns the Villiers Arms, said: "If the licensing sub-committee decide the pub has to close then we hope it will only be temporarily.

"We are working with the relevant authorities and it is our intention to keep the pub open."