Mass brawl erupts outside Cabaret venue with up to 30 people armed with metal bars
By Hannah Neary, local democracy reporter
A bar has kept its licence after a huge brawl where people armed themselves with metal barriers and glass bottles.
Around 30 people were involved in the massive fight at the Proud Cabaret venue at Victoria Embankment.
A police report to Westminster City Council’s licensing committee says officers responded to a call that people were fighting with security inside the venue on September 2 at around 3.30am.
It says: “CCTV shows an attack using a large bottle and member of security with a significant head injury, with blood running down the back of his head and neck.”
It explains that a fight broke out 30 minutes after the bar closed and customers were asked to leave.
The report says people used metal barriers as weapons and armed themselves with glass champagne and spirits bottles.
It continues: “Furniture is thrown off the stage and security are assaulted several times.
“The security and management lost complete control of the incident and were clearly totally overwhelmed.
“No assault on door staff was reported to police despite head injuries sustained by two members of the door staff.
“The initial cause for the disorder is unknown currently.”
Police found staff struggling to clear the venue and several police cars were sent to help manage the situation.
The brawl inside lasted 15 minutes, with other fights taking place outside.
The report also says police believe the fight was gang related.
Staff handed officers a knife with a six inch blade after the incident, claiming it was found outside by the main entrance but police believe it was found inside the venue.
A Met Police spokesperson said police dispersed the fight on September 2 and no arrests were made.
Westminster City Council’s licensing committee allowed the business to keep its licence after a meeting on Friday (October 15).
A council spokesperson said extra conditions were added to the licence to address police concerns.
Westminster City Council has been contacted for further comment.