Call for club licence suspension after alleged rape

Police want to temporarily close a south-west London club where a woman was allegedly raped by a staff member.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the Metropolitan Police has asked Lambeth Council to suspend the licence of Aquum in Clapham while officers continue to investigate the alleged incident from 29 March.

A woman alleged an employee took her to an upstairs bar, closed off to the public, and assaulted her. The Met said a man was arrested on 12 April on suspicion of rape in relation to the alleged assault and has been released on bail.

The BBC has contacted Lambeth Council for a comment.

The woman also alleged her and her friends were offered free drinks and shots throughout the night by the same staff member at the club on Clapham High Street.

Part of the Met's licence review application also said this was the second time a sexual assault allegation had been made against an employee at the club by a patron during an eight-month period.

A application, submitted to the council by the Met and dated 9 April, said: "As a result of serious crime and disorder being alleged at the venue and to ensure the immediate safeguarding of young female patrons potentially attending the venue, the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) are requesting a summary review of the premises licence with the interim steps of immediate suspension of the licence."

According to the LDRS, the Met's request to suspend Aquum's licence was heard in private by Lambeth Council's Licensing Committee on 10 April. The council will publish the committee's decision at a later date.

The club can open until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights and until 3am the rest of the week, according to its current licence conditions.

A Met spokesperson said: "Officers are investigating a rape which was reported on Wednesday, 2 April and allegedly took place on Saturday, March 29, at a venue on Clapham High Street.

"The victim continues to be supported by specialist officers."

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