Urgent review into Walsall Wood pub following ‘violent disorder’
A Walsall Wood pub has had its licence modified following ‘violent disorder’ at its premises earlier this month.
An urgent meeting took place on May 19 to discuss the future of the Drunken Duck at 55 High Street, Walsall Wood.
West Midlands Police Superintendent Pervez Mohammed requested the review on the grounds that the pub is associated with ‘both serious crime and serious disorder’.
In the early hours of May 10, West Midlands Police responded to an incident ‘inside and directly outside’ the Drunken Duck.
The disorder involved a ‘number of staff and customers’, and one male sustained ‘significant injuries’.
At the meeting on Monday, three committee members, Councillor Suki Samra, Councillor Aftab Nawaz and Councillor Matt Ward, had to decide whether to modify the premise licence conditions, exclude the sale of alcohol, remove the premises supervisor from the licence, or suspend the licence.
West Midlands Police requested an ‘immediate suspension’ of the premise licence as an interim step, stating that the licensing objectives, specifically crime and disorder, would be ‘undermined’ if it were to remain open.
The current premises licence holder is Dellamarie Pilbeam. It was transferred to her name in November 2023, and she subsequently became the Designated Premises Supervisor.
The members decided to modify the premises licence with conditions, pending a full review hearing which will take place within 28 days.
The conditions include ceasing all licensable activities by 11pm and closing at 11.30pm Monday to Sunday, there must be registered SIA security staff on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm until all customers have left the car park, and CCTV must be recorded and kept for 28 days.
In the application, Superintendent Pervez Mohammed said: “On Saturday, May 20, from approximately 00:15 hours, a violent disorder took place inside and directly outside the venue involving a number of customers as well as staff from the venue.
“Serious disorder that evening is evidenced by the fact that one male sustained significant injuries requiring an ambulance to take him to the hospital.
“As a result, WMP has commenced an investigation and inquiries are ongoing.
“Investigating officers have had to seize the CCTV hard drive. Further criminal investigations are required.”
