Slot machine venue’s wish to move complicated by drive-by shooting

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

A Croydon slot machine venue where a drive-by shooting occurred earlier this month has applied for permission to relocate, but it’s sparked debate over security.

Merkur Slots, in High Street, has applied to move to George Street, in the next road.

Merkur will cease trading at its current site if the licensing application is successful.

However, the move, which was initially viewed as a straightforward change of premises, has now attracted the concern of councillors following the drive-by shooting.

Police were called to the premises on the evening of February 10 after reports that a 17-year-old had been shot. Upon arrival, officers found the victim inside the casino, where he had been receiving first aid.

Following the incident, Merkur implemented heightened security measures at its High Street branch. This included moving the branch’s one licensed doorman from inside to outside and boosting their hours.

However, at a licensing sub-committee meeting yesterday, Merkur representatives confirmed their new location in George Street would not receive any additional security, citing a belief that there was no threat of retaliation at the new site.

Gerald Gouriet KC, who spoke on behalf of Merkur, told the committee: “What needs to be done now to prevent retaliation on the High Street doesn’t need to be done on George Street.”

Mr Gouriet insisted that the particular Merkur branch was unrelated to the shooting and simply acted as a circumstantial backdrop to the incident. He added: “It could have been anywhere, at a Boots or corner store.”

While the new premises would still have a doorman on the premises between 6pm and its 6am closing time, Mr Goruiet described the idea of having more than one doorman on site as ‘not proportionate’ and akin to ‘cracking a nut with a sledgehammer’.

Mr Gouriet also batted away councillor Appu Srinivasan’s suggestion that staff check for weapons at the doors of the new premises on George Street. He said: “While weapons are taken into nightclubs, there has not been identified a real risk of weapons being taken into bingo premises. It just hasn’t happened.”

However, committee chairwoman councillor Patsy Cummings said: “I am concerned about what could happen at this particular type of premises. Because it operates until late at night, it is something we need to look at.”

The Met have confirmed the drive-by took place after the assailants went the wrong way down a one-way street. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and now has potentially ‘life-changing injuries’.

Dontae Dillon, 19, of Burgess Hill, West Sussex was charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm. A 16-year-old boy, also from Burgess Hill, and a 15-year-old boy from Croydon, both of whom cannot be named, were also charged with attempted murder.

The 15-year-old appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on February 13, with Dillon and the 16-year-old appearing on February 15. All three will appear at the Old Bailey on March 13.

Crime has long been an issue in George Street. The busy thoroughfare, which leads up to East Croydon station, saw a number of stabbings and incidents of antisocial behaviour last year.

Pictured top: The Merkur premises at 12 High Street (Picture: Google Street View)