CRIME and disorder in a Pendle town have reduced ‘significantly’ since a night club was closed due to a fire, Reedley magistrates heard.

A senior police officer made the claims about the Good Night Club, in Nelson, at an appeal hearing into restrictions imposed on the licence.

Following a hearing in March, it was decided the hours on the licence would be reduced from 4am to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1am on Sundays.

Licence holder Dave Geddes appealed against the decision and the club was able to continue operating without restrictions.

However, since a fire in August, the Stanley Street venue has been closed to the public, which police officers claim has led to the area becoming ‘very quiet’.

Inspector Russ Proctor, who was based in Nelson between September 2006 and September 2008, said there had been a ‘substantial’ amount of crime and disorder connected to the club in the last two years.

And he said police had given Mr Geddes an opportunity to ‘turn things around’ which had not happened.

Rosalind Emsley-Smith, representing Mr Geddes, said the licensee had given the police ‘full co-operation’ and that crime reported had reduced since he took over the club in the last year.

Miss Emsley-Smith highlighted figures showing that only one crime had been reported at the club in March 2008, compared to eight the previous year.

And in February 2008 three crimes that were ‘minor in nature’ were reported, compared to five the year before.

She also said there was no evidence to suggest the crimes were committed by club revellers as a lot of the incidents occurred outside the premises.

And she added that the club was often only mentioned in crime reports as a ‘reference point’ because it is a ‘focal point’ in the town.

But Inspector Proctor disagreed. He said: “Since the club was closed that part of Nelson has been significantly quiet.

“Since Mr Geddes has taken over disturbances have decreased, but I believe that has been down to police presence.”

(Proceeding)