The Crown pub reopening despite police concerns over 'gangs and violence'

Members of Dudley Council’s licensing sub-committee decided the owners of the The Crown in Simms Lane, Netherton, could continue operating but imposed a series of strict conditions.

The pub was shut last year after police reported violence and criminal activity had ‘spiraled’ at the premises which included drug dealing and violent crime, including the use of swords.

It was forced to shut its doors when two men were injured in a machete attack in October 2018, leaving one with a serious head wound.

A three month closure order was granted by Wolverhampton Magistrates in November.

The pub is opposite The Link Academy secondary school, formerly Hillcrest School, in a largely residential area.

Police asked licensing committee members to revoke the premises’ licence.

Andrew Parker, a barrister acting for the chief constable, told councillors police had dealt with serious incidents at The Crown.

He said that prior to a change to the pub’s owners installing a new tenant last year, there were only 11 criminal acts in 18 months and all of minor level.

“However, between February – when a new regime came in – and October there were 18 major incidents involving robbery, drug taking, people running around with machetes, samurai swords and there was an incident when cars were rammed within the car park area and also violence spilling outside of the premises.”

He added officers suspected offenders had intimidated the staff not to assist the police.

He said: ‘“Effectively, gangs were using the pub as a clubhouse.”

Licensing officers for the council also said there had been numerous complaints by residents about noise nuisance coming from the premises and the car park during and after licensing hours.

Mr David Crank, represented New River Trust which owns the pub, admitted there had been noise problems but the company wasn’t made aware of the violent disorder which lead to magistrates ordered its temporary closure.

Commenting on the court’s decision he said: “It was probably for the best.”

He added the previous tenant had effectively been evicted from the pub by the closure order and New River Trust was now looking for someone new to take it on.

He added the company was planning to refurbish the building and a major convenience store chain was interested in using part of the car park for a new shop.

“What my client does believe is that if the committee is inclined to revoke the licence today it would mean the premises would not reopen.

“Without a licence it would be virtually impossible to market, so it would stand empty.”

He said the company would install CCTV subject to the police approval and cut back drinking hours on Friday and Saturday from 2.30am to midnight.

Rejecting the police application licence councillors set a number of strict conditions,.

They included revoking the licence of the previous tenant, the installation of CCTV, a reduction in drinking time, door staff to be employed on Friday and Saturday evenings and the car park should be fenced, gated and locked after business hours.

By George Makin

Local Democracy Reporter