Man stabbed at Wolverhampton nightclub 'hosting gang member's birthday party'
A nightclub was hosting a gang member's birthday party when violence erupted among more than 50 people leaving a victim with stab wounds, it has emerged.
Society nightclub, in Wolverhampton city centre, is facing possible closure after concerns from officers over gang tensions were not followed, say West Midlands Police.
A man, aged in his 30s, was stabbed in his torso in an attack last month.
In the licence review application, police say three knives were found on site following the stabbing.
Police found a silver green lock-knife and a black handled ceramic knife in the smoking area at the club, off Skinner Street behind Beatties, although neither were believed to have been used in the stabbing.
A third knife – an eight inch flick blade – was also discovered tucked under a door on the “outskirts of the premises”, said the review application.
Members of Wolverhampton Council licensing committee will decide the fate of the club, once known as Fixxon, at a meeting next Thursday.
Officers were called to the club in the early hours of Sunday, March 24, following reports of a fight.
The victim was taken to hospital and his injuries were not thought to be serious.
In the licence review application, Wolverhampton Police’s Sgt Steph Reynolds said the force had been told by club boss Mac Kainth that the venue intended to host a birthday party for a "gang nominal" on March 23 until 4am the next day.
The report said: "This event was a birthday party for a known gang nominal in the Wolverhampton area."
The club was told a string of extra safety measures would be required if the event was to go-ahead, the report said.
These included at least six door staff for 100 guests, making the event invite only, a knife arch or working wands in use as part of a strict search policy, all plastic glasses and no bottles and working CCTV.
Sgt Reynolds said the club told them there would be between 150-200 guests and as a result eight door staff would be working.
Mr Kainth also confirmed searches would take place and the smoking area, which was not accessible by anyone outside the club would be monitored, the report said.
Officers found only one metal detector wand on the night, small silver cannisters containing nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” strewn on the floor and that 250 guests had attended the event with only six door staff working.
Sgt Reynolds said the stab victim was also not on the invite list. Other family members not on the invite list were also admitted.
Police tweet from officers at the scene
She said: “This incident could have been avoided if the requests from West Midlands Police had been adhered to.
“It had been highlighted to the premises licence holder, the concerns from the police in relation to gang tensions and that was why the strict invite only, search policy and door staff numbers were requested.
“This was to ensure the licensing objectives were upheld and all patrons/public were kept safe from harm.
“The injured party in the crime was not on the invite list so it therefore raises the question as to how he was allowed entry into an “invite only” event.”
The committee has a number of options available including suspending or revoking the venue's licence.
A temporary suspension was introduced after the stab attack last month.
