A Bradford city centre nightclub has been shut down following a string of violent incidents, including two stabbings.

Police were granted an interim suspension of Club C’s licence in the light of five serious incidents of violence since February.

Bradford Area Licensing Panel agreed to suspend the club’s licence, pending a summary review later this month.

It is the first time in two years such a move has been made.

Last night, club boss Neal Allen, said he had taken steps to improve security at the premises in Sackville Street, including extra infra red CCTV cameras, more security staff, and an airport-style walk in metal detector to prevent knives being brought in.

Police asked for the licence review following five separate incidents of serious violence since February 24.

The panel considered police evidence about the incidents, along with “acknowledged deficiencies in the CCTV system in providing adequate monitoring and supervision of the internal area of the premises, the lack of proper supervision by Security Industry Authority registered door staff and the lack of control by the Licensee/ Designated Premises Supervisor in the prevention of serious incidents of crime and disorder in the premises.”

It said: “The Panel considered this compelling enough to justify the immediate suspension of the licence, pending a full review, under the prevention of crime and disorder objective and promotion of public safety.”

Chairman of the Licensing Panel, Councillor John Ruding, said it agreed to the police request to close the club after being given some information by licensing officer PC Su Dawson. He said the licensee attended the panel meeting and accepted the majority of the evidence.

Coun Ruding said: “There will now be a full review, at which the panel will be presented with the full evidence. The club will remain closed until then.”

He added: “This was not a usual process, it is two years since it last happened. The panel’s decision was based on public safety and to prevent criminal disorder.”

The incidents included stabbings in the early hours of April 14 and April 27, and an assault on April 6.

In another of the incidents, 21-year-old mum Chantelle Da Costa allegedly had part of her lip bitten off.

But, after examination of CCTV footage, police are now taking no further action in that case and a 51-year-old man who had been arrested has now been released from his police bail.

Mr Allen told the Telegraph & Argus he was doing whatever it takes to stop outbreaks of violence at his premises.

He said: “We have had four incidents in a month and I don’t know what is behind them. But this is not a club that experiences violence every week. We would like to see the panel’s decision reversed. I am introducing measures to improve things. It is my duty to stop anything happening inside that place. We are not here to spread violence. The infra red cameras I am introducing will show people’s faces and the colour of their clothes and that will be handed over to police.”