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DISORDER HOTSPOT
POLICE today branded a Sheffield pub a "disorder hotspot" after compiling a shocking dossier of violence, drug dealing and drunkenness.
The Old Blue Ball pub on Bradfield Road at Hillsborough has been highlighted by police worried the area is becoming a trouble spot for binge drinking.
In a report to licensing councillors, the police reveal a shocking snapshot of incidents at the Old Blue Ball including:
n A woman raped in a nearby side alley after meeting a man in the pub.
n Allegations of heroin and crack dealing and solvent abuse.
n A man wielding a firearm.
n A man being stabbed in the back and eye.
n Gangs of women fighting.
n A brawl in which police had to use CS gas. A heavily pregnant woman was also caught up in the fracas.
Police are opposing an application by the pub, due to be heard by licensing councillors on Friday, to stay open until 2am on certain days.
The application has prompted a petition from 330 local residents objecting to the longer hours.
The police report also contains four complaints from customers who allege they have been assaulted by door staff.
One complaint is from a married couple and another from a seven-month pregnant woman who alleges she was pushed into a wall.
In the report, Inspector Andrew Clarkson says: "Statistics tend to suggest that the Old Blue Ball is a hotspot for disorder especially at evening time."
Police say there is a general problem with drink and disorder in Hillsborough.
Insp Clarkson says in the report: "It's true to say the area does suffer from binge drinking, especially at weekends when most of the premises are a focal point for young people.
"Bradfield Road features on the Hillsborough drinking circuit and is the subject to numerous calls to the police for public disorder type incidents."
The report says Bradfield Road has a high number of incidents compared to Ecclesall Road.
Insp Clarkson says: "There were 125 public order incidents reported on Bradfield Road alone over the last 13 months.
"Of these 72 refer to the Old Blue Ball, 22 refer to the Shakey pub and 31 refer to Legends cafe bar.
"To show the extent of the problems on Bradfield Road, this should be compared to Ecclesall Road where 158 public order incidents were FROM PAGE ONE
reported over the same period.
"However, as opposed to the three premises in Bradfield Road area, Ecclesall Road has some 47 licensed premises."
A spokesman for Mitchells & Butlers, which owns the Blue Ball, said: "We have accessed all our pubs on an individual basis and made applications for extended hours where we feel there is a customers demand.
"It is important to note that we may not use the full licensing hours on a regular basis, but perhaps just on selected days of the week.
"We fully recognise on holding a licence we must ensure the responsible and safe operation of our premises at all times for customers, staff and the wider community.
"We encourage our managers to be active members of the community and to deal directly with neighbours and local authorities quickly and amicably to resolve issues that may arise."
Incidents at the Blue Ball listed by police over six months:
Woman complains to police she has been assaulted in the pub
999 call made by the licensee reporting a group of lads trying to break the car park barrier
Drunken man rings police to say he has been assaulted inside the pub
Woman dials 999 alleging she had left the pub with an unknown male who said he would get her a taxi. She was raped in a side alley.
Bar staff ring 999 about a group of men fighting
Off-duty police officer reports a firearm has been discharged at the pub. No one hit or injured but police information suggests drug dealing near to the scene at the time
999 call by a man who says he has been offered heroin and cocaine in the pub
Drinker complains the window of his vehicle has been smashed in the car park
Ambulance staff call police about a fight in progress. CS gas used by police and a heavily pregnant woman taken to hospital after being caught up in the violence.
Man calls police to say his brother has been stabbed in the back and eye in the pub and says his brother may lose his eyesight.
Bar staff report a strong smell of petrol from the toilets. The pub is evacuated and police and fire brigade attend. Police believe solvent abuse occurred in the toilets.
A group of girls fighting at the pub prompt a 999 call
999 call that a customer has been assaulted inside the pub by a group of women.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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