Police have revealed they have "grave concerns" over the way in which a Canvey nightclub is run.

The club's director, however, said it had always worked closely with police and Castle Point Council.

Officers today voiced their fears about King's Club as the council was due to decide whether to renew its public entertainment licence later this month.

Major worries included the lack of CCTV footage on the night of an alleged murder, the number of underage drinkers at the club and 40 "incidents" in the last 12 months.

A murder investigation was launched at the Hindles Road nightspot last September after 18-year-old Tony Mahoney was allegedly murdered outside the Piano Bar.

The youngster died from a single knife wound to the heart during the incident on Sunday, September 26. The club has now asked the council to renew the licences for three parts of the premises including the club room, first floor lounge and Piano Bar.

However, club director Jeff King said he was not aware the police concerns were grave and insisted every nightclub across the country had some problems.

In a letter to Castle Point Council, a police spokesman said: "The police do not intend to object at this stage to the renewal of the licence but we have grave concerns with the running of the premises.

"Over the course of the past year a total of 40 incidents have been reported which I can directly connect to the licensed premises.

"I obviously have concerns with the number of persons being under 18 who made witness statements for the night of the alleged murder, of which eight included drinking alcohol at the premises.

"I also believe that you are already aware on the night of September 26, the video recording machine had not been switched on which is breaking one of the conditions attached to the public entertainment licence.

"I would suggest the police, Castle Point Council and the owners work together on reducing the amount of incidents of crime over the forthcoming year.

"One of they ways in which this could be achieved is providing further CCTV cameras to cover the conservatory area of the Piano Bar and having no under 18s in the nightclub when the liquor licence is being operated."

Members of the licensing committee are due to consider the application at a meeting on Thursday.

Mr King stressed no suggestion had been made by police that its licence should not be renewed.

He said: "We have always done our best to work with the council and police and have never had any problems. I don't believe the police have grave concerns.

"They may have concerns on procedures which we have now ironed out with them and the council. The police wanted us to keep an incident book but they have now asked us to fill it in, in a different manner."

Mr King admitted the CCTV was not running during the time of the alleged murder.

He said: "It was a genuine mistake. The tape was in but it was not pressed to 'on' and may have switched off."

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