Psy night closed by police

Norwich UK

words evening news

A Norwich licensee has accused police of over-reacting for shutting down her bar early after a customer was allegedly found in possession of a large quantity of drugs.

Officers were called to The Regal on Dereham Road, which was hosting a dance music event, at about 2.30am on Sunday after a man was searched and ejected by security staff.

Licensee Sarah Ladi said police had then ordered the event to close early, despite its 5am licence, because of fears that other people in venue might also have drugs.

The Regal is understood to have closed at about 3.30am. Mrs Ladi said she felt it was unfair that the venue had been penalised for acting responsibility by ejecting the man and calling the police. She said she had made a formal complaint to the force.

“I think the police over-reacted. I believe their job was to come and arrest that person and that should have been it,” she said.

“I was quite willing for officers to go in and carry out some random searches.”

The Regal was hosting a first birthday party for a psy trance club night event called Psychology, organised by outside promoters, which was to feature DJs specially flown in from Ibiza.

“It was a really good night. People had come from Cambridge and London. Everybody was behaving themselves but one person has spoiled their fun,” said Mrs Ladi, who estimated the early shut-down had cost about £1,000 in lost takings.

“We’re a normal community pub. These events are once a fortnight,” she said.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a 5am licence. We’re doing these tings to keep ourselves afloat.

“We’re not shut down – we got closed early for the night. We are not a venue that drug users can come to. I know the police have to do their job but we’re a business trying to keep people in work. I think it’s bang out of order.”

Mrs Ladi said about 250 people were in the venue, having paid £5 in advance or £7 on the door. She estimated about 80 per cent had been searched for drugs, but said security staff were not permitted to search “personal areas”.

A police spokesman was unable to confirm whether any arrest had been made, but said: “Officers from Norfolk Constabulary carried out a visit at the premises in the early hours of Sunday morning following information received from the public and an investigation is on-going.”

“An event at the premises was closed down early; however, the premises were not closed down and remain open.”