A Brighton pub could lose its drinks licence – and effectively be forced to close – after a brawl on Friday night (25 September).
The King’s Arms, in George Street, Brighton, faces a summary review after Sussex Police made a formal application to Brighton and Hove City Council.
Two men are due in court in December on charges of assaulting a police officer after what police said was “a fight involving a number of people”.
A notice posted at the pub by the council said: “We have received an application for a summary review from Sussex Police.
“The grounds for the review are that, in the opinion of a senior police officer, the premises is associated with serious crime and disorder.”
No date for the review has been published.
In a statement after the arrests, Sussex Police said: “Police responded to a report of a fight involving a number of people in George Street, Brighton, shortly before 11pm on Friday 25 September.
“One man sustained an arm injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
“A 21-year-old man, from Brighton, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and later released on bail.
“Wesley Douglas, 55, of Ashton Rise, Brighton, and Oliver Rowsell, 21, of Bowring Way, Brighton, were each arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer.
“They are due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Friday 18 December.
“A police investigation is under way and anyone who saw what happened or captured any relevant footage is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1804 of 25/09.”
“The premises is (sic) associated with serious crime and disorder.”
Isn’t that justification for closing most police stations in Sussex? lol
Seriously, this bar has been operating for many years without much trouble. This appears to be an isolated incident involving animus between two families. If the police ACTIVELY patrolled the district, then the crime rates around St James’s Street would be lower. People do not deserve to lose their livelihood nor customers their loal pub because of a single fight.
There’s more crime on the seafront at night. Likewise they don’t patrol there either.