A high street bar and nightclub which police say is becoming a focal point for violent and anti-social behaviour is subject to a licence review.

Since the beginning of last year, police have been called to more than 30 incidents at Zoo bar and received reports of fights between customers, heavy-handed staff and children being allowed inside by showing IDs on their phones.

According to Kent Police, the night-time venue, in Maidstone town centre, is starting to have a “detrimental effect on the town”.

Some of the incidents officers attended included a call from a worried member of the public who saw a group of balaclava-clad men who they suspected had weapons arrive at the bar having been removed earlier, as well as customers using garden ornaments, including a metal flamingo, as weapons when another punter was being ejected having had a row with management.

On Sunday, September 24, a member of the public reported their son had been removed forcefully from the premises by a security guard and once outside, the security staff held his arms and pushed him before punching him in the face causing a laceration to his mouth which required plastic surgery. Police are now investigating this as a report of GBH.

The bar, which is found at the market buildings near the Ashes sports bar and Muggleton Inn, is now having its licence reviewed.

Police have raised concerns about several incidents in the past year, including complaints made against door staff for “excessive force against patrons”, door staff allowing people back in after causing a disturbance and allowing children into the venue by accepting IDs from their phones.

Other issues which were raised by the force include multiple assaults and disorder throughout 2023, patrons intoxicated to the point of collapse and the knock-on effect of “serious disorder” the operating hours have caused for the High Street.

The bar is open between 11am and 3am on weekends and can sell alcohol between 9am and 7am.

However, Kent Police wants the venue to shut at midnight, or at the very least, the sale of alcohol should be stopped at this time.

Owner Christopher Dyer had previously been asked to reduce the operating hours but expressed concerns about the significant impact on his business.

In an attempt to reduce negative behaviour, Mr Dyer introduced a cool-down period for rowdy customers, body-worn cameras on bouncers and specialist door staff rather than just marshalls.

The review document said: “Kent Police continued to work with Mr Dyer and the venue but still it became a focal point for serious disorder and as Mr Dyer is reluctant to reduce his operating hours it is strongly believed that the venue will remain a focal point in the future for crime and disorder.

“The venue has been issued numerous warnings about breaching its licence and continues to allow members of the public to enter after the times permitted by the premises licence conditions. The outside garden area allows members of the public to congregate where they persistently annoy staff and customers leading to issues.”

A 19-page document of evidence about disorder includes several reports of altercations between door staff and patrons, records of GBH and assaults, as well as people being found with knives. The documents had at least 40 incidents which were reported to the police in 2023.

You can view the licence review here, with reference 24/00761/.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

Last year, manager Cameron Dark was caught on CCTV kicking and beating a man after chasing him from the venue into a bus station. He was later taken to court and told to carry out unpaid work for the attack.

It came after the unknown man made a comment about his child outside the venue.

The 25-year-old took hold of his victim's head and punched him several times. He struck him with such force he had to be pulled off by a security guard who had also run after the man.

But not content there, Dark then attacked the man further by kicking him several times as he lay on the ground leaving him bloodied and bruised.

The incident is referenced in the review documents, with police saying: “Maidstone CCTV Control contacted Kent Police and reported members of staff from the venue chasing a male in the bus centre. The male was detained and taken to the floor by staff and was kicked multiple times. The members of staff then walk away leaving the male, clearly injured, on the floor.”

The Zoo bar and nightclub has been approached for comment.