A NIGHTCLUB in Glasgow was described by police yesterday as the epicentre of late night violence and disorder in the city.
Divisional Commander John Wilson added that young people at the Bonkers Showbar were literally ''taking their lives in their hands'' on entering the premises in Hope Street.
He told of horrific assaults, including two attempted murders, and of drug use in and around the venue.
He also revealed that serious assaults in the area had fallen by 36% since Bonkers closed in June for refurbishment. His comments before the licensing board led to an application for an entertainment licence being refused, casting doubt on the venue's future.
Mr Wilson also produced another catalogue of violence at the city's Destiny nightclub, in Cambridge Street, whose operators already use sniffer dogs, metal detectors, and hand searches at the entrance. He told of 122 crimes, including 22 assaults and 72 drugs offences, logged between October, 2001 and September this year.
The application from First Leisure Trading Ltd and Mr Scott Coogans to continue late-night opening until 3am at Destiny was refused, also casting doubt on its future.
Police objections in connection with Bonkers were on the grounds that the applicant was not a fit person to hold a licence, and that the sale of alcohol caused undue public nuisance or threat to public safety. The owner, Carnegie Leisure Ltd, is planning to reopen as an upmarket venue for people aged over 20 after a reputed (pounds) 300,000 refurbishment, and is expected to appeal to the sheriff court.
Its legal representatives were enraged in particular by claims that Carnegie Leisure, which has other venues across Scotland, is not fit and proper.
Mr Wilson, speaking on behalf of Chief Constable Willie Rae, insisted the level of violence was horrendous - and due in part to lack of control by the management and failures to address police concerns.
He told of two attempted murders, 20 serious assaults, 30 criminal assaults, 51 breaches of the peace, two robberies, two thefts, and 43 instances of misuse of drugs between April, 2001 and May this year.
It is also understood Destiny is considering a judicial review in the Court of Session.
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