POLICE investigating a stabbing incident at a west Suffolk pub want its licence revoked amid claims the venue has also housed an illicit boxing club.

The Five Bells pub in St Mary’s Square, Newmarket, has had its licence to sell alcohol temporarily suspended following violent incidents there last month.

It has now emerged that police investigating those incidents believe the pub, whose licence holder is Admiral Taverns, is also home to a boxing club.

In his submission to Forest Heath District Council’s licensing committee, Pc Craig Lannigan told how the most recent episode at the pub involved the stabbing of the bar manager in the leg and a customer in the abdomen with a penknife.

However, Pc Lannigan said the incident was only reported by the pub 30 minutes after the assault had happened.

He said: “Officers at the scene found that the area had been cleaned and washed by staff, eradicating the potential of any forensic evidence.

“Staff at the premises also refused to give an account of what had happened.”

In a previous incident a customer reported being struck six times to the back of his head “causing severe bleeding”.

Pc Lannigan said: “It is also believed that a boxing gym is being run from within the grounds of the premises – training local children to box. If confirmed, the premises would be in breach of the premises licence.”

In his report to the council’s licensing committee, strategic director (services) Nigel McCurdy said the premises licence review was being carried out because the “police were satisfied that the premises were associated with serious crime and disorder”.

A spokesman for Admiral Taverns said: “We are working with the police and local authority to resolve any issues surrounding the licence at the Five Bells.”