Pub in Bishops Stortford to close following violent disorder
The Half Moon Pub on Northgate Street was at the centre of a pub brawl last Wednesday.
A pub in Bishops Stortford where a violent disorder took place has been ordered to close until Wednesday 9 August by police.
The Half Moon Pub on Northgate Street was at the centre of a pub brawl on Wednesday 7 June, where glasses were thrown, with people injured and two taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Three arrests have now been made as part of an ongoing investigation.
Hertfordshire Constabulary says the closure occurred after the pub failed to follow warnings around allowing entry to people who were banned from the premises.
In response, East Herts Community Safety Unit (CSU) worked in partnership with their Safer Neighbourhood Team colleagues to achieve the closure of the pub, meaning it cannot trade until the closure has been lifted.
The order – which was subsequently granted at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Friday (9 June), meaning the premises must remain closed until 9 August 2023.
Sergeant Clare Ramirez who led the application said: “The closure order has been imposed following repeated warnings to the pub around allowing entry to people who are banned from the pub.
“There have been numerous reports about drug dealing on the premises.”
Following the closure Sergeant Ramirez added: “Following the disorder at the pub there is a significant risk that violence and anti-social behaviour would continue which could lead to further serious injuries or worse.
"Under the order, only the landlady and her husband can enter the premises.”
Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector Mark Collins said: “This is the first closure order involving a licensed premises that we have had to make in East Herts. This was an extremely violent attack between several people and is linked to drug supply in Bishop’s Stortford.
“Three people have now been arrested in connection to the disorder that occurred on 7 June. If you have information about what happened please contact me at mark.collins@herts.police.uk.
“We have a zero tolerance to this kind of behaviour which is why we have taken swift action.
“I am hoping that in the next two months we will work with the owners and licensing authority to remove the issues at the venue, and it can re-open safely to the community.”