Call for investigation into homophobic police PDF Print E-mail
Call for investigation into homophobic policeA gay pub in Birmingham has called for an investigation into West Midlands Police, blaming homophobic officers for a loss of trade.

The Fountain Inn, in Wrentham Street, near the city centre, has protested officially to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and is considering suing the force for thousands of pounds which it claims it has lost since the pub was raided in August 2007.

Officers swooped on the pub after receiving an anonymous letter claiming drugs were being sold. No drugs were found, but an illegal porn film was being shown in a back room.

At a city licensing review, the pub was granted a new licence on condition the front door displayed an "over 18s" sign.

Philip Rolle, spokesman for the pub, said: "The raid came as a total shock. The letter making accusations was clearly malicious, and the raid was disproportionate."



"We felt we were being victimised and the police were being homophobic.

"If landlord Erick Siekierski had known he needed to put an over-18s sign on his door he would have done it a long time ago.

"He feels the police were clutching at straws and were desperate to close the pub down." Mr Rolle added: "We feel the police should compensate the pub for its loss."

West Midlands Police said: "It's not unusual that where breaches of licences are found during police visits that these are then referred to the licensing committee.

"The licence holder's aware of these breaches, as he was on the night of the visit. The pub was reopened later that day and has operated freely since.

"We will continue to work with the pub to manage the conditions as agreed by the licensing committee."

The police spokesman added that the force had established a number of initiatives to improve relations and safety for people living, working and visiting the city's gay quarter.

 

Source: BirminghamMail.net

 
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