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Drinkers 'flee after gunshots heard outside Wolverhampton pub' - police report

Gunshots were reported outside a Wolverhampton pub which police say has become a regular haunt of gang members.

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Drinkers fled in panic as the alleged gunshots were heard outside the Pegasus pub in Jackson Street, Whitmore Reans. Bosses there now face having strict conditions placed on their licence as police asked for it to be reviewed. They include rules that security guards be employed to search for weapons, CCTV be set up and 999 calls to be made in emergency situations.

Details of the gunshots incident were revealed during a meeting of council chiefs where the situation was discussed. A full licence review will be held later this month.

Police were called to the pub's car park on May 27 whilst it was open to the public and holding a birthday party.

Two cars parked outside were damaged as the gun was said to be fired in front of the main entrance to the pub.

Since the incident, staff at West Midlands Police's licensing department have applied to Wolverhampton council to 'review the premises licence'.

According to the application submitted to the council, police were told that there had been 'a disagreement and glasses smashed'.

However, since the incident, police believe that 'numerous members of the Whitmore Reans Crew' were involved. The police report states: "It is clear that this venue is now attracting a clientele who are either gang nominals or gang affiliated. With this type of lifestyle clientele comes an element of crime and disorder and there exists a real risk to public safety."

At the time that police visited the scene, there was no evidence to suggest a shooting had taken place other than the phone call from a member of the public that had said they had heard 'two gunshots, with people running from the venue and cars speeding away'.

An anonymous tip-off on May 29 revealed the police that a vehicle had received gunshot damage whilst at the pub.

CCTV recovered by police later showed 'two flashes of light' which were 'believed to be the two discharges from the firearm' according to the report.

People at the pub at the time were seen 'bolting' into the venue in panic.

Since the events of May 27, Harjit Gill has applied to take on the role of designated premise supervisor from his father Balbinder Gill. The licensing department has objected to his application and set out 11 conditions for the pub to adhere to in order to keep its licence.

No-one from the pub was prepared to comment.

Police are continuing to investigate the reports of gunfire.

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