Club told to get tough on yobs

3:50pm Friday 28th March 2008

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One of Oxford's biggest nightclubs - the Bridge - has been ordered to clean up its act as part of a "tougher stance" on night-time violence.

Last week, the nearby Imperial club's licence was suspended for six weeks, after the police said it had become a troublespot.

Now a licence review notice has been served on the Bridge, in Hythe Bridge Street.

Police and Oxford City Council want the club's management to take steps to end a series of serious assaults, which have seen glasses and bottles being used in fights.

Since October 1, there have been 19 violent incidents reported to the police - including two glassings.

Tony Cope, the police licensing officer, said: "We believe we need to get a message to licensed premises that trouble can't continue, and I think we're doing that at the moment. We are now taking a much tougher stance.

"Problems have gone on for long enough. The Bridge was highlighted to us before Christmas and there have been a number of glassings and bottlings.

"We're tackling the most problematic establishments first and, hopefully, that will have a knock-on effect across the city.

"Things that have happened in the past can't continue. Hopefully, we can make Oxford a safer city to go drinking and get rid of the yobbish culture."

Police and Oxford City Council's first licence restriction on the Bridge is an instruction to replace glasses and bottles with polycarbonates or plastics.

They are also asking the club to improve staff training on how to deal with any trouble and introduce a better CCTV system.

The club's licence is not expected to be suspended or revoked unless the management fails to agree with the licence changes.

A licensing hearing is due to take place on April 29, but it could be cancelled if the club addresses the concerns raised by the police.

The club holds regular student nights.

Manager Phil Davidson said: "We have already brought in some plastic glasses and I think this condition may be part of a police policy to bring plastic glasses in across the city.

"We're one of the biggest and most successful clubs in town and, by virtue of that fact, probably going to get potential for more trouble. But we don't have a reputation for trouble."

Violent disorder in the city has increased by 280 incidents since April last year. Police believe most of the incidents involve drunken revellers.

Members of the public can make comments, which will be used as evidence at any hearing, by contacting Oxford City Council Licensing Department, Ramsay House, St Ebbe's, Oxford, OX1 1PT.