Pub reopens after ear-severing incident (From Your Local Guardian)

Croydon pub reopens after ear-severing incident

8:00am Thursday 21st June 2012 in News By Nick Hitchens

A pub closed after a series of violent attacks has been given license to reopen under new management.

The Derby, on Pitlake, closed at the end of 2008 after a year of incidents including a bouncer suffering serious facial injuries, a victim being stabbed five times and a Stanley knife being used to cut off part of a victim's ear.

When the site reopened as Indian restaurant The Indian Elephant, the new owner closed the venue after two years due to persistent violence and trouble from patrons.

On Tuesday June 19 Croydon Council licensing committee gave permission for new owner Garfield Green to reopen the pub under its old name The Derby.

Mr Green promised to provide regular stop and searches, 24-hour CCTV, toilet checks to discourage drug use and employ security staff on weekends.

PC Darren Rhodes from the Metropolitan Police Licensing produced a detailed report of the history of violence at the site.

He said: “The Derby has a long and well documented history of violent incidents of the most serious nature.

“The venue is in close proximity to another local public house the Pitlake Arms which recently had its license revoked due to incidents of serious violence. This has had a knock on effect for nearby venues which have seen those customers trying to frequent their venues.

“I believe strongly that if The Derby was permitted to open again then the same old problems would reoccur.”

PC Rhodes also said Mr Garfield had failed to provide sufficient information about how the premises will be made safety.

The council gave the license, which allows the pub to serve to 11pm each day as well as imposing conditions including the CCTV is recorded at all times with an operator who can use it present at all times.