West Malvern pub under scrutiny (From Malvern Gazette)

West Malvern pub under scrutiny

1:47pm Wednesday 11th June 2008

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A WEST Malvern pub is being investigated by police and licensing authorities following allegations of late-night rowdiness.

At a meeting of West Malvern Parish Council on Monday, members heard that Malvern Hills District Council is holding a license review about the Lamb Inn.

The review was requested by police, who have been clamping down on vandalism and disorderly behaviour in the village.

Police officers told the meeting that 80 reports of criminal damage had been made between January and May this year, compared to 11 the same time last year.

Supt Nick Mason said because of spates of vandalism and rowdiness, West Malvern had been made a priority area for policing and was now patrolled by uniformed support groups at the weekend.

Although police at the meeting agreed that not all the incidents, particularly the outbreaks of vandal attacks on cars, can be linked to the pub, Sgt Sara Goodman said: ""We have got sufficient evidence linking anti-social behaviour with the Lamb to ask for the license review."

Licensing officer Niall McMenamin said the matter is likely to go to a licensing review panel in July. The panel, made up of elected district councillors, will study the evidence and will have a range of options, including tightening up the conditions of the license, and even revoking it.

But Insp Griffiths said the last thing police want is to close the pub down; they just want to ensure it is well managed.

And Supt Mason urged anyone with information about perpetrators of vandalism and rowdiness to tell police, perhaps using CrimeStoppers, where information can be left anonymously.

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