A nightclub could be shut down after a customer was stabbed in the neck in a "near-fatal" attack.

Club 791, in London Road, Thornton Heath, "seriously hindered" an investigation into the stabbing by failing to check the alleged knifeman’s ID before he entered the club, police officers said.

A male clubber was rushed to hospital with serious neck injuries and required surgery following the attack in the early hours of Saturday, October 10.

Police have so far been unable to identify the attacker because the club's bouncers did not scan his or his group's ID, despite being under strict police orders to scan everyone entering the club.

Constable Darren Rhodes, the licensing officer for Croydon police, said: "Having now viewed the CCTV footage from the premises the suspect and his friends are allowed entry to the premises without presenting any form of ID, [and] the searching of these males was of a very poor standard.

"This has directly resulted in a near fatal stabbing inside the premises and has seriously hindered the apprehension of the person(s) responsible."

Police have asked Croydon Council to review the club's licence following the stabbing, which happened between 4.10am and 4.40am.

The club's licence-holder, Kibuuka Kyeyune, had staved off the threat of a licence review in June by promising the club would install an ID scanner.

It followed an alleged double attack on May 11, when two women said they were victims of a "serious unprovoked assault" at the club.

The club's bouncers ejected the alleged attacker from the club instead of detaining him and calling the police, said PC Rhodes.

The club also failed to provide CCTV footage from the night when requested by police in a "serious breach" of its licence, he added.

PC Rhodes later "spoke at great length" with Mr Kyeyune about the importance of the club's security staff searching and scanning the ID of every clubber, according to documents submitted to the council's licensing committee.

The officer said: "Whilst the management at the premises have always responded to police requests and advice in a positive way there is no confindence [sic] in the ability of the security team to perform their role.

"This is not however the first time something of a serious nature has happened at this venue and under the circumstances of such a serious nature this application is essential in order to support and promote the prevention of crime and disorder."

Mr Kyeyune admitted he had made mistakes and said he had replaced his security staff since the stabbing.

He added: "My security team was not up to their game. The police's decision was fair. 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.

"We have given the police as much information as we can.

"We have given the police CCTV and some names of the people we think were involved. I am in touch with the victim and he is doing much better."

Club 791's licence was initially suspended pending a committee meeting on Friday next week, when councillors could choose to revoke or modify the licence, extend the suspension or remove Mr Kyeyune from his position.

The interim suspension was later lifted on appeal.