Sugar Hut

The Brentwood nightclub made famous by hit television show The Only Way is Essex had more crime recorded in and around it than any other location in the borough in December, new statistics show.

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Police recorded 19 incidents at or near the High Street club Sugar Hut, which is owned by one of the show’s stars, Michael Norcross.

The Home Office’s crime mapping website has been updated to show individual locations such as railway stations, parks and clubs, so that residents can see where incidents took place.

Those occurring at or near the club, open to the public four nights a week, included 11 instances of antisocial behaviour, six of theft and two involving “public disorder and/or weapons”.

The website lists 27 other incidents along the rest of the High Street in 
December.

Liberal Democrat councillor Phillip Mynott whose Brentwood North ward includes a section of the High Street, has called on local bars and clubs to pay a contribution to the cost of night-time policing in Brentwood.

He is putting forward a motion to Brentwood Council’s policy board for councillors to ask for a voluntary payment, or else use powers under the Localism Act to make a levy compulsory.

‘Money shortages’

Cllr Mynott said: “I think it’s fair that any business that is doing something that means the police have to do more work should help pay for it, especially in times of money shortages.”

Sugar Hut spokesman Dave Read said: “It’s just one statistic and obviously with the number of people visiting it’s going to have more issues than a bus shelter or the like, but it’s not something we’re taking for granted.

“The management will always endeavour to work with the local police and council and any suggestions made will be taken on board. Given the large number of people and publicity that it has brought to the town, it would be nice if that could be noted too.”

Brentwood Council leader Cllr Louise McKinlay said: “Such figures are viewed with utmost seriousness and we will provide support when required regarding committed acts of crime.”

She said that members of the council’s policy board would be the ones to decide about a levy but added: “Clearly, there’s a balance to be struck between ensuring night-time businesses contribute towards public costs and also that they are allowed to be viable goings of concern.”