4 days Ago
The Met has asked Lambeth Council to suspend the licence of Aquum in Clapham while officers continue to investigate the alleged incident on March 29. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape on Saturday (April 12) in relation to the alleged assault and has been released on bail. The woman alleges that while visiting the bar on March 29, an Aquum employee took her to an upstairs bar in the club, closed off to the public, and assaulted her.
The woman claims she and her friends were offered free drinks and shots throughout the night by the same staff member at the club on Clapham High Street. A licence review application submitted to the council by the Met dated April 9 says: “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.” The Met’s request to suspend Aquum’s licence was heard in private by Lambeth Council’s Licensing Committee on April 10.
The council will publish the committee’s decision at a later date. Aquum’s website describes the venue as Clapham’s ‘ultimate all-in-one late night bar and restaurant’. 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, April 2 and allegedly took place on Saturday, March 29, at a venue on Clapham High Street. “A 26-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, April 12 on suspicion of rape and has been released on bail while investigations continue. The victim continues to be supported by specialist officers.
”.
