Met cops shut down illegal nightclub in Southwark after six visits
Repeated rule-breaking at Afrikiko Restaurant and Club
Police from the Met’s Southwark Partnership Night Time Economy Team hit Afrikiko Restaurant and Club on Old Kent Road six times between 31 July and 26 September. Each visit uncovered the venue operating as an illegal nightclub, ignoring coronavirus rules and social distancing. They also found the club breached curfew laws and its own licensing conditions repeatedly.
Officers blocked entry, found 45 hidden inside
On 26 September, officers were initially denied entry and told the club was empty. Once inside, they discovered more than 45 people hiding in the basement nightclub area. Despite numerous attempts to get staff to comply with regulations, the venue kept flouting the law.
Alcohol licence revoked in swift council action
Southwark Police Licensing took swift action, submitting a summary review to Southwark Council. Following a hearing on 27 October, Afrikiko’s alcohol licence was revoked. The venue has 21 days to appeal the decision.
Met warns against reckless rule breakers
Sergeant Keith Dempster, South Central Command Unit, said: “The Met is determined to protect Londoners by cracking down on the most deliberate and egregious breaches of the regulations that are putting everyone at risk. As the spread of the virus continues, this type of intervention will become even more important, and the vast majority of Londoners who are abiding by the rules rightly expect us to be doing it.
“We don’t want to take away people’s livelihoods – we would far rather they engaged with us and operated in a safe way for everyone.
“However, by repeatedly operating as a nightclub, staff and patrons were exposed to a real risk of contracting and spreading Coronavirus, which would have affected London’s communities.
“Breaching these measures could also play a part in increasing the chance of further lockdown measures being imposed in London that would hurt other businesses.
“Whilst we will always look to engage with licensed premises and explain the new regulations, robust action will be taken against those that simply refuse to abide by the law and who, at the end of the day, put lives at risk.”
