A nightclub in Thornton Heath has been shut by police over fears of serious violent crime just three months after it clung onto its licence following a near-fatal stabbing.

Officers suspended Club 791's licence on Friday, warning of a "significant risk" of violence at the venue, which they claimed was not providing sufficient security or abiding by its licensing conditions.

A council committee ruled in November that the London Road club should not lose its licence despite being the scene of four stabbings in the previous 15 months.

RELATED: Club 791 "seriously hindered" investigation into near-fatal stabbing

RELATED: Thornton Heath nightclub Club 791 clings on to licence after four stabbings in 15 months

Police said the venue's lax security had "seriously hindered" their investigation into an October 10 attack, in which a clubber was knifed in the neck in a "near fatal" stabbing.

Officers requested a review of the club's licence but the venue was allowed to stay open after management reached a "compromise" with police.

As part of the deal, Club 791 was ordered to begin using a ID scanner, upgrade its CCTV system, close earlier on weekends and consult with police at least seven days before any events it hosts.

But in an application for another review of the venue's licence, the Metropolitan Police said: "A senior police officer is of the opinion that the premises are associated with serious crime.

"The police believe that the licence holder is not providing sufficient measures around security at the premises, nor abiding by conditions on the premises licence and as a result, the police believe that there is a significant risk that a serious crime of violence may occur at the premises."

October's stabbing was the 15th outbreak of serious violence at the nightclub since June 2011.

Those included a 2011 shooting, when three masked men blasted a shotgun into the club, and a fight in September 2012 in which a clubber was stabbed five times in the back.

Fred Kyeyune, Club 791's owner, said in November he had changed his security team on the request on the police.

He added: "My security team was not up to their game. I made the mistakes, I did not do what my licence required me to do.

"They wanted me to use an approved company and I have that in place now."

Stuart King, West Thornton councillor, said he was "extremely alarmed" by the latest development.

He tweeted last night: "I understand police are of opinion that premises are associated with serious crime...will be looking at evidence but no more 2nd chances IMO"

A Croydon Council licensing committee will review the club's licence within 28 days of the police application.