Decision

 
PREMISES
The Chequers
121 North Street
Hornchurch
RM11 1ST
 
APPLICANT
Chief Officer of Police for Havering
Borough
 
Details of requested licensable activities
 
The application is for an expedited review of
the premises licence, submitted under the provisions of s.53A of
this Act.  The Police contend that
violent disorder occurred at the premises in the early hours of
Wednesday 11 March 2026 into Thursday 12 March 2026.  Subsequent Police contact with the premises’
representatives revealed further licensing failures.  This expedited review application was subsequently
submitted on 13 March 2026.
 
The relevant provisions of s.53A(2) require
that:
 
On receipt of such a s.53A application, the
relevant licensing authority must—
 
(a)       within 48 hours of
the time of its receipt, consider under section 53B whether it is
necessary to take interim steps pending the determination of a
review of the premises licence; and
(b)       within 28 days after
the day of its receipt, review that licence in accordance with
section 53C and reach a determination on that review.
 
Section 53B defines interim steps thus:
 
The interim steps the relevant licensing
authority must consider taking are—
 
(a)       the modification of
the conditions of the premises licence;
(b)       the exclusion of the
sale of alcohol by retail from the scope of the licence;
(c)        the removal of
the designated premises supervisor from the licence;
(d)       the suspension of
the licence.
 
Summary
 
The purpose of the interim hearing was to
determine whether any interim steps are required pending the
outcome of the full review hearing.  Any
interim measures the Licensing Sub-Committee feel are necessary
will have immediate effect.
 
 
 
 
Determination of application for an expedited
review of the premises licence
 
Procedural Issue
 
1.         The
Licensing Sub-Committee made the decision to exclude the public and
members of the press from the hearing following PC Chris
Stockman’s application that proceedings to be held in closed
session.
 
2.         The
Licensing Sub-Committee had regard to Regulation 14 of the
Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 and also noted the
Access to Information Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the London
Borough of Havering Constitution regarding exempt information. In
particular, the Sub-Committee was mindful that the matter is under
live investigation with suspects being bailed as investigations
continue.
 
3.         The
Sub-Committee was concerned that there should be no  prejudice to the holding of a fair trial
and  therefore, in accordance with
Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations
2005, the Sub-Committee  decided to
exclude the public including the press from the hearing as it
considered that the public interest in so doing outweighed the
public interest in the hearing taking place in public.
Representations
4.         The
Sub-Committee have considered an application by the Police for
Interim Steps to be taken under section 53B of the Licensing Act
2003 in respect of the premises known as The Chequers situated at
121 North Street Hornchurch RM11 1ST.
 
5.         The
application was made on 13 March 2025, following violent disorder
occurred at the Chequers Public House 121 North Street Hornchurch
involving two groups totalling around 10 people. Punches &
kicks were delivered by both parties resulting in chairs being
toppled over & tables being moved. After a short break both
parties continued fighting starting with one of the persons picking
up & throwing a chair at another patron. Further punches &
kicks were delivered by both parties including one kick being
delivered to the head of someone who was on the floor. Chairs were
used by persons & thrown at other persons involved. One of the
persons involved received a cut to the head with first aid being
administered by the venue. No SIA door staff were working (as per
the licence) and bar staff later refused to provide statements to
Police. The venue did not call the Police for assistance & no
entry was made in their incident log book when Police visited on
the 13th March 2026. Moreover, the venue appeared to be operating
outside their licensable hours and CCTV footage appears to show the
venue have been habitually operating outside of their licence &
supplying alcohol after hours
 
6.         The
Sub-Committee were cognisant that the police strongly believe that
if the premises were to remain open, then there is a strong
possibility of serious crime and/or serious disorder to reoccur due
to the poor management of the premises. PC Stockman stated that the
level of violence demonstrated by the patrons was relatively very
serious compared to the usual pub fights he has witnessed as an
experienced police officer. The serious violence exacerbated with
the breach of conditions such as operating outside the licensable
hours and not adding the incident to a log book, lead the police to
seek suspension of the licence as an interim step pending the
substantial review hearing.
7.         The
Sub-Committee noted that the incident met the test for what
amounted to “serious crime” under s81(3) of the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the relevant
certificate was provided by Supt. Sharon Brin.
Decision
8.         The
Sub-Committee were satisfied that it is necessary to take interim
steps pending the review hearing.
 
9.         The
Sub-Committee decided that the PREMISES LICENCE WILL BE SUSPENDED
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
 
10.       In reaching its
decision the Sub-Committee considered the various interim steps
available to them;
 
 
Modification of the conditions on the premises
licence
11.       Given the
seriousness of the incident, which was exacerbated by;
a.         The
Police only being informed of the serious disorder by a member of
the public and no call being made to the police by the
premises,
b.         The
premises had been providing alcohol to patrons beyond their
licensing hours and
c.         The
Sub-Committee’s view on CCTV footage that staff appeared to
have lost complete control over the situation,
The Sub-Committee found that no modification
of the licence can allay the risk of serious crime and serious
disorder as an interim step and the Sub – Committee had real
concern that the premises had not adhered to the conditions of
their licence.
 
Exclusion of the sale of alcohol
12.       The Sub-Committee
found that the exclusion of the sale of alcohol is ineffective to
prevent further serious crime and serious disorder.
 
Removal of the Designated Premises
Supervisor
13.       The Sub-Committee
found that removal of the Designated Premises Supervisor is
unlikely to prevent the risk of serious crime and disorder in the
interim pending review in that this step does not address the fear
of reprisals.
The Suspension of the Licence
14.       The Sub-Committee
noted that the police, who are the Sub-Committee’s main
source of advice in respect of crime and disorder, had requested
that the licence should be suspended as an interim step, and
positively confirmed that suspension is the only step to prevent
further serious crime and serious disorder at the premises.
 
15.       The Sub-Committee
noted that the Police believe that the premises have likely to
breached their licensing conditions which may have facilitated the
serious incident on 11 March 2026.
 
 
16.       The Sub-Committee
considered the practical implication of suspension in relation to
the premises but found suspension not to be a disproportionate
interim step and an appropriate immediate measure and therefore
imposed suspension of the licence as an interim step.