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Drugs squad raids Consett strip club Red Velvet

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A DRUGS squad stormed a controversial strip club in an early-morning raid as scantily clad dancers performed on stage, the Sunday Sun can reveal.
Seven people were arrested as police staged a pre-planned raid at the Red Velvet club, the only strip club in County Durham, shortly after midnight yesterday.
Officers revealed they were acting on tip-offs about suspected drug dealing at the venue, which has been operating for five years above a chip shop in Front Street, Consett.
Suspects were yesterday quizzed by police in Durham City.
Police say they will now make a bid to challenge the licence of the lap dancing club, described by opponents as "inappropriate" due to its proximity to churches, homes and schools.
Detectives from Durham Constabulary's Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit and Consett neighbourhood police team said they would lodge an application with magistrates tomorrow to revoke Red Velvet's licence.
Insp Colin Dobson, head of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit, said: "Dealing drugs is a serious offence and drug use causes enormous problems for the community.
"When this is combined with alcohol, the problems are magnified.
"We have listened to the community concerns about Red Velvet.
"We will now be applying to licensing magistrates to review and withdraw Red Velvet's licence tomorrow."
Insp Dobson vowed to continue to disrupt criminal activities and urged the community to continue to come forward with intelligence.
The Red Velvet club sparked outrage in April when a change in the law meant it successfully applied for a Sexual Entertainment Licence to remain open for lap dancing.
North West Durham MP Pat Glass, county councillor Clive Robson, and local police all opposed the club remaining open.
But, following a meeting lasting more than six hours, a five-strong licensing panel consisting of Durham county councillors approved the application.
Mrs Glass had earlier told the hearing how she had visited the outside of Red Velvet late at night to see how the premises operated, and had noticed "two scantily-clad girls covered by a coat outside smoking, surrounded by a group of raucous men."
At the time, she said: "This was an absolutely appalling decision.
"This location, close to 26 residential streets, a further education college and five places of worship, is totally inappropriate."
But a lawyer representing Red Velvet told the hearing how the club was popular with many locals.
Of its proximity to nearby churches, he said: "We aren't stopping people worshipping."
The seven suspects were last night still being quizzed by detectives at Durham City Police Station.
A further premises in the Consett area was also issued a S19 closure notice on Friday night.
http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-ea…