Croydon Council rejects bid to tighten Dice Bar's licensing restrictions amid allegations of police racism

In an embarrasing defeat for the borough's police licensing team, councillors this afternoon rejected a bid to tighten restrictions imposed on Dice Bar in High Street.

It comes despite officers submitting an unprecedented 400-plus pages of supporting documents to the committee, who they tried to convince that the club had "systematically failed” to upholding licensing requirements.

RELATED: Police 'do not want black people going out' in Croydon, claims nightclub owner

In a statement submitted to the hearing, Dice Bar owner Roy Seda claimed police told him not to admit black customers into his venue and alleged that was a "racist undertone" to officers' actions.

He said police had banned him from playing bashment music - a Jamaican genre also known as dancehall - because it was "unacceptable" to the borough.

Mr Seda's submission to the meeting read: "It is clear for me to see, the licensing police do not want black people coming to Croydon’s night time economy as they have discouraged me from having black customers, and have been discouraging Jamaican music.”

He said the police had "thrown the kitchen sink" at forcing him to tighten his licensing conditions.

The police application cited more than 50 concerns police have had with the venue between January 1, 2015 and February 21 this year, ranging from fights outside the club and underage drinking to clubbers wearing trainers and stuffed animal heads blocking CCTV cameras.

Sgt Michael Emery, centre, is alleged to have told Dice Bar owner Roy Seda not to admit black customers

James Rankin, the lawyer representing the Metropolitan Police, told the meeting: "Over the last three years the record of the premises has been woeful".

He added: “I am going to grasp the nettle because there have been some unpleasant allegations in the statement from Mr Seda. Principle amongst those is that there is some form of racist agenda that the police are pursuing in commencing this review.

“That in some way they favour premises which do not cater for the Afro-Caribbean community and in some way Mr Seda’s premises has been singled out for particular attention. Can I say that not only is that offensive, it is entirely unfounded.

“The suggestion that Sgt Emery or Chief Inspector McGarry have some form of racist motivation in pursuing this review is vehemently denied.”

But Dice Bar's barrister, Sarah Clover, said the force's claims were "evidentially worthless" and described the police document as aa "voluminous waste of paper”.

She added: "This is not a gentle or a balanced review, this is really going for gold.

"The police review application is very clearly saying they are 'systematically failing' and there is 'catastrophic management' but that is not what the evidence shows at all.

"Mr Seda and his team are devastated – disappointed is not a strong enough word – to be put in this situation."

RELATED: Dice Bar owner claims police have 'thrown the kitchen sink' at shutting down venue

The licensing committee spent around two hours in dicussions before throwing out the police's application for alterations to Dice Bar's licensing requirements.

Cllr Jane Avis, who chaired the meeting, said: “The sub-committee hereby advises the premises licence holder that, in accordance with council’s licensing policy, the premises licence holder should ensure strict compliance with his operational policies, including his policies relating to vulnerable victims, intoxicated persons, drugs and measures to avoid drink spiking in his premises."

Following the meeting, Mr Seda said: “I’m just relieved, it has been such a stressful time.

“We just want to get on with running our business as safely as possible.

“Various licensing checks have said we run our business outstandingly, we always have enough security and we always train our staff properly.

His wife Farrah, who co-runs the club, said: “I think there is so much more to say from what has happened but after today we just want to get on with our lives and get back to normal."

Dice Bar owner Roy Seda is all smiles as he leaves the licensing committee meeting after being vindicated

In a statement issued following the committee meeting today, Andy Tarrant, borough commander of Croydon police, denied allegations of a "racist undertone" in the actions of his licensing team and insisted his officers had been correct to apply for a review of Dice Bar's licence.

Chief Supt Tarrant said: "There were a number of crimes and incidents at the bar that we believed had the potential to put people at risk or become a victim of crime. This is not something we can accept, and so have a duty of act.

"Applying for a licence review is a last resort. Croydon police's licensing team worked with the PLH [personal licence-holder] and DPS [designated premises supervisor] to improve how the premises are run. There have been periods of improvement, but they were never sustained, which led to our application for a review.

"However, in carrying out our duty a number of allegations have been made by the PLH about the conduct of our officers. We dispute those allegations. If the licence holder wants to make a formal complaint it will be fully investigated, and any evidence he has looked at."

Mr Seda's statement to the committee had alleged Sgt Emery had warned him against letting black customers into hus venue.

Sgt Emery told the meeting he "categorically" denied the allegation.

He said: “In response to the statement from Mr Seda, I categorically deny that, it is completely untrue and I would never make such a claim.

"To suggest that, to me, is personally insulting."