Police have finally shut down 'Britain's roughest nightclub'
'Britain's roughest nightclub' has been shut down by police after it was linked to string of violent crimes, including stabbings, assaults, drug-dealing and gangland activity.
The nightclub, known as The Red Door which is located in an alleyways in the Lowell's area of Birmingham, had been operating illegally for more than a year.
The club was known locally to be a hotspot for gangsters and after a number of violent offences, it was dubbed 'Britain's roughest nightclub'.
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The series of violent offences include one man being stabbed 13 times during a fight on 31 October last year, and another man being stabbed in the leg on 18 June of this year.
Police confirmed there have been reports of gunshots heard from inside the club and several brawls have also erupted at the venue, which was also used for drug-dealing.
And to make matters worse, the nightspot had no planning permission, was not registered as a company and did not have a music license or permission to sell alcohol.
Loud music from the club had also caused disruption to local residents, with many young children being left distressed.
West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council were able to build a case against the management and obtained a closure order at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Video footage shows officers using bolt cutters to break into the premises which has a sheltered beer garden complete with a barbecue, TVs and a pool table.
The footage also revealed a fully stocked bar and a dance floor equipped with large speakers, despite the building only having permission to operate as a warehouse or for storage.
Inspector Nick Hill said: “This will come as a huge relief to local residents whose lives have been blighted by the anti-social behaviour and crime this venue attracts.
"Clubs are bound by tight regulations to ensure customers are kept safe, such as security, CCTV and staff training, and disturbance is kept to a minimum for people living nearby. The main building was only approved for storage purposes only – but there was also a covered outdoor seating area, toilet block and kitchen. None of it had planning permission."
Police confirmed a utility company was also called in to make the site safe and judged the dodgy wiring at the venue was potentially a risk to life.
The inspector added: "We’ve been granted closure for three months initially but we’ll be seeking permanent closure and potential demolition.
"Local police teams are working with our Gangs Unit to actively target anyone we suspect is linked to violence and organised crime.
"We run regular suppression patrols to disrupt gang activity and operations to target people causing harm in our communities."
Councillor John Cotton, cabinet member for social justice, community safety and equalities at Birmingham City Council, said: “We support this police action because unlicensed premises are, by definition, unregulated and we know there have been some significant concerns over this premises, so hope it shows we can work in partnership to keep our communities safe.
"We will continue to work with West Midlands Police to tackle issues relating to illegal and unlicensed activity, anti-social behaviour and public safety and ensure Birmingham’s bars and clubs, as well the city’s streets, are safe for all their visitors.”
Shiala Mahmood