News Item - News - Surrey Police

Farncombe club closed down after losing appeal

Submitted: 23/03/2007 11:38:52

A club in Farncombe faced immediate closure after losing its licensing appeal held before magistrates on Friday (March 16).

Farncombe Progressive Club had launched an appeal following a review hearing before Waverley Borough Council’s licensing committee last October where the club’s premise certificate was revoked. The appeal was heard on March 16 at South West Surrey Magistrates Court in Guildford where the appeal was refused. The decision means that the club premise certificate remains revoked and Farncombe Progressive Club is no longer able to trade. The club was also awarded £4,000 costs against them.

Surrey Police had requested an urgent review of the Progressive Club’s licence following an intelligence-led drugs raid codenamed Operation Gyrocompass in August last year. The club in St. John’s Street had been the subject of police attention for months following breaches of its licence and a catalogue of incidents including assaults, public order, drink driving, damage, intimidation, after hours drinking and drug offences.

New legislation introduced under the Licensing Act in November 2005, meant that police and other interested parties were able to provide additional supporting evidence at the Licensing Committee hearing. Numerous complaints had been received by Surrey Police and Waverley’s Environmental Health Department of loud music being played until the early hours that had repeatedly disturbed neighbours. Under the new legislation and these residents were able to give evidence at the October hearing.

West Surrey Chief Superintendent Kevin Deanus said: “At the appeal insufficient evidence was presented of improvements to the way the club was run. We cannot emphasise enough the negative impact this poorly run club had on the quality of life of the local community. No-one should have to suffer this level of anti-social behaviour and disorder on their doorstep.

“This closure demonstrates that Surrey Police and its partners will listen and support the community to promote responsible licensing in the borough. The public can be reassured that criminal activity will not be tolerated and steps will be taken to address the problem caused by drugs that blight our communities.”

Waverley Neighbourhood Inspector Graham Weaver added: “This is the first occasion in Waverley that we have had to resort to this type of intervention. The vast majority of licensed premises in Waverley are well run establishments and through Pubwatch, work closely with Surrey Police and its partners to reduce anti-social behaviour. The clear message to licence holders is to take responsibility for running your premises or face the consequences.”

Operation Gyrocompass, a large scale drugs operation, resulted in 23 people being convicted in relation to the supply of Class A drugs. All concerned are due to be sentenced at court next month. The early morning raids were carried out on August 10 last year at Surrey addresses in Guildford, Godalming, Farncombe, Milford, Witley and Woking. Addresses outside the county were also targeted including Basingstoke, Hampshire; Feltham, Middlesex; and St. Leonard’s on Sea, Sussex. The operation was the culmination of five months of intelligence-led work by Surrey Police to infiltrate drug networks supplying heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.

Surrey Police responsibilities did not end with enforcing the law, however. Local Neighbourhood Officers and Police Community Support Officers also worked closely with local communities to offer reassurance and support following the operation. Some 5,000 postcards were handed out in the local neighbourhoods explaining the operation and urging people to come forward with information. Teams from Waverley and Guildford Borough Councils conducted clean-up operations, including the removal of graffiti and litter, in the areas affected by the operation.

Together with help from partner agencies, fast track drug treatment programmes were offered to all offenders brought into custody for rehabilitation and to break the cycle of addiction.

For further information, please contact West Surrey Press and Publicity Officer by e-mail: 11400@surrey.pnn.police.uk