HORLEY'S Flirt! nightclub has become the number one concern for police in the whole of the borough.
And the Consort Way club, where a 20-year-old man was knocked out cold in an assault in the early hours of Saturday morning, is the second biggest trouble hotspot in the whole of Surrey.
Police officers have responded to 54 incidents there already this year for offences of drunkenness, assault and allegations of drug use among others – compared to 28 at the next worst venue.
Consequently on Tuesday, the club's designated premises supervisor (DPS) Caroline Coe was removed by members of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's licensing sub-committee after just over a month in the job.
In evidence submitted to the licensing hearing, police outlined "serious concerns" over the running of the venue, which has a capacity of 600.
Sergeant Oliver Smith, reporting on a plain clothes visit to the club on April 27, described people staggering drunkenly, vomiting and swearing at police. He said he feared for the safety of himself and his officers.
"This is by far the worst run and most disorderly premises I have attended," he said.
"I should not like the thought of attending again because it is so poorly run."
Another report by PC Peter Stevens described how, during a visit on June 29, Mrs Coe – the then acting DPS – looked "blankly" when asked about personal licences or bar authorisations.
PC Stevens concluded: "She simply demonstrates no understanding of licensing regulations or what was required of her as a responsible manager."
Mrs Coe took over the DPS role from her husband, Gray, who was removed by the same committee on June 20.
But police applied to have Mrs Coe removed after claiming she did not have the experience for the job, saying Mr Coe was still essentially in charge.
Police lawyer Robert Talalay told the hearing at Reigate Town Hall that Mr Coe was doing the day-to-day running, despite his wife being listed as the DPS.
At the hearing, Mrs Coe said she believed she was making the club better and rejected suggestions of trouble.
She said: "Since I've been DPS I've had no reported incidents.
"I haven't had to call the police, I really feel that I've turned this place around."
She added: "I have had no help. I would really like to be on good terms with [police licensing officer Murrae Hume] but I find it really difficult to have any communication with him."
When asked if she had tried to have a meeting with police and Mr Hume, Mrs Coe admitted she had not.
Mrs Coe can appeal the council's decision to remove her and will remain in post pending that decision.
She refused to speak to the Mirror following the hearing.
