Republik closed down by police

POLICE cracking down on drug dealing in Liverpool clubs and bars swept in and closed the Republik nightspot in the early hours of this morning.

It follows the closure last week of Garlands on Eberle Street and the Lomax on Cumberland Street.

All together, seven men were arrested in the Bold Street club.

Police say that after the closure they found "numerous bags of white powder believed to be class A controlled drugs".

"Officers from Liverpool North have overnight (Friday, 20 February 2015 in to Saturday 21 February 2015) closed a licensed premises in the city centre following an investigation which revealed that drugs were being dealt openly on the premises," a statement said.

Theclosure of Republik follows a lengthy operation by police over the last few months focusing on incidents of violence, and contributory factors, such as drug supply, in the night time economy. 

 Violence

 Merseyside Police said: "Four males have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A controlled drugs, two males have been arrested on suspicion to supply class A controlled drugs and one male has been arrested for possession of class A controlled drugs and taken to police stations to be interviewed by detectives."

Chief Supt Jon Ward, said: “This is phase three of an investigation targeting irresponsible licensed premises where violence, and contributory factors such as drugs and excess alcohol, have caused issues.

“Unfortunately, as a result of our investigations we had no option but to take positive action at Republik this evening. In the last year there have been a significant number of violent incidents within the club. And a subsequent investigation carried out by detectives has found that Class A drugs and other substances, were freely available within the club. Again it is clear that this venue does not adhere to the same high standards as other licensed premises in the city."

In a statement on its Facebook page today, Republik said: "As you may have seen we are closed this evening unfortunately.

'We are shocked the Police felt the need to attend our venue and we await their findings with great interest.

Today (Saturday, 21 February) Merseyside Police made a formal application for a closure order (under Section 80 of Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014) to Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court.