A HUNTINGDON pub could lose its licence after a drugs raid and police complaints of a series of other incidents and crimes.

Huntingdonshire District Council’s licensing sub-committee will be asked by the police to review the premises licence for the Golden Knight, in Sapley Square, Oxmoor, which is operated by Admiral Taverns, when it meets next Wednesday, November 9.

Unusually, the 170-page report, even though redacted to exclude personal information, has not been released by the council, though a spokesman told The Hunts Post: “The police have noted a number of incidents and crimes associated with the premises and, following information received, police executed a search warrant under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. In this search drugs and pepper spray was found.

“The police have also dealt with incidents of disorder at these premises. The police believe that the premises are not being managed in line with licensing objectives, hence the licence is under review.”

The police’s concerns are over three of the four objectives of the Licensing Act 2003, relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm.

Mark Brown, from Admiral Taverns, which owns but does not manage the Golden Knight, told The Hunts Post: “There have been some issues at the Golden Knight which we are working to resolve. To this end we are working very closely with the licensing authorities and the police, who have been extremely helpful and constructive, and we are committed to resolving these issues to the satisfaction of everyone – the pub’s customers, neighbours, the licensing authority and police.”

The sub-committee could revoke the pub’s licence, suspend it for up to three months, demand the removal of the licensee, modify the conditions of the licence or take no action.

The meeting next Wednesday at HDC’s Pathfinder House headquarters in Huntingdon is due to start at 9.30am. Apart from the sub-committee’s deliberations, the hearing will take place in public.