Security at Irish nightclub in London 'dragged customer from taxi and stamped on him'

The alleged fight took place outside The Swan in Stockwell, South London in March
-Credit: (Image: Google Street View)


Security at an Irish nightclub allegedly dragged a customer from a taxi and kicked and stamped on him, documents submitted to Lambeth Council by the Met Police claim. Footage allegedly shows security staff at The Swan in Stockwell, South London dragging an unidentified man from an Uber and beating him up in the early hours of the morning on March 30.

At one point a manager at the venue allegedly throws a punch at the man, the same documents submitted to the council as part of a licence review hearing claim. None of the workers in the video have been interviewed or charged in relation to the incident, the victim has never been identified and the venue disputes the Met’s interpretation of the footage.

Police are treating the fight, which was filmed outside the club, as affray and are investigating. The review of the venue’s licence was brought by the Met in relation to the incident and other alleged crimes at the venue.

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Multiple phone thefts have been reported at the club, according to police
Multiple phone thefts have been reported at the club, according to police -Credit:Getty/Dazeley

According to police, there were four instances of violent crime at The Swan between March and April 2024, as well as multiple phone thefts. There have also been reports of spiking at the venue.

Gabriel Nelson, representing the Met, told a council licensing hearing on Thursday (October 24): "The premises is currently the site of significant crime and disorder. Specific instances include alleged spiking of both female and male victims, fighting inside and outside the premises, innumerable instances of theft.

"The police would therefore submit that the premises is presently and currently associated with crime and disorder. The prevalence of crime also introduces a public safety concern.

"The police cannot be confident that members of the public on visiting the premises can be kept safe from violence or spiking instances, nor their personal possessions being prevented from being stolen."

Barrister David Dadds, representing The Swan, said four members of security staff had been suspended following the fight in March and one had subsequently been let go by the venue. The remaining three were reinstated after they were not brought in for interviewing by police, Mr Dadds said. A new head doorman has since been employed, he added.

Mr Dadds continued: "It is a family run premises. [...] This premises has been licensed for 44 years under this family's name. It will be 20 years under the Licensing Act [soon]... Prior to that [the fight footage from March] there was no intention to call a review. [...] It wouldn't be right from the video clip to apportion any liability or blame."

Police asked the council to impose several new conditions on the venue, including for the present security staff to be removed, a new independent manager appointed to oversee the current management staff, and a reduction of opening hours until 2am.

A council Licensing Sub-Committee decided to delay making a decision on the police's requests until a later date. Councillor David Robson, Chair of the committee, said: "The Licensing Sub-Committee has decided to defer its decision on this application for five days."

Got a story? Email robert.firth@reachplc.com.

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