A nightclub in Hounslow faces closure over police fears of gang reprisals following a brutal assault.
Two men were kicked and punched on the ground close to Club K in Hounslow High Street by a gang of youths who had just left the club in the early hours of March 31 this year.
Police believe the attack was gang-related and have applied for a summary licence review of the premises, which is located next to TK Maxx, which could lead to its licence being revoked.
It would follow Brentford club Café Society in being stripped of its licence in November 2015 following shots being fired close to the venue.
Game, in Earl's Court, was also closed following a string of violent incidents that same month.
But the owner of Club K says there is no evidence of any gang connection, there has been no issue with violence within the club and it has always worked with local authorities to try to prevent any trouble.
The club was closed during the weekend after its licence was suspended but has been allowed to re-open, with an earlier closing time of 3am, ahead of a review hearing by Hounslow Council on April 26 which will determine its fate.
Six police incidents this year
Police say the venue has been linked to a large number of arrests and antisocial behaviour over the past year.
Since the beginning of this year, they say, there have been six incidents either inside or immediately outside the venue, including a racially aggravated assault, a robbery and two arrests for being drunk and disorderly.
In February, police say two men left the club and assaulted a man outside before being seen in a vehicle later that night from which a shot was fired elsewhere the borough.
On Thursday March 31, shortly before 4am, about 50 youths were seen on CCTV entering the club over the course of about 10 minutes, some of whom police say were able to walk past bouncers unchecked.
A large group then ran outside where they attacked two men, knocking them to the ground where they continued to rain down blows. One of the victims required stitches to his face and hospital treatment for a back injury.
'Gang tensions'
Sergeant Paul Smythe, who applied for the licence review, wrote in the application: "It is believed that the assaults are as a result of gang tensions and the venue has previously attracted gang members.
"There is a strong likelihood that there will be further reprisals which are very likely to take place at or outside the same venue."
Club K has been open for just under four years and has hosted the likes of former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.
The venue was previously a short-lived strip club called Mist, and before that a snooker club.
Owner Onkar Raj said he was "shocked" by the licence review and claimed police assertions about links to gangs were "completely untrue".
"There were no weapons used and there's no evidence produced of any gang-related trouble. We've been open for four years without any problems inside. We can't control what happens 200 yards away," he told getwestlondon.
'Club is good for the community'
"This is the only club in Hounslow and we were shocked that police have taken this step.
"We work closely with the authorities to make sure we comply with the licensing objectives.
"We think the community needs some kind of entertainment place. There are a lot of people staying in hotels here who frequent the club and we think it's good for the community.
The club, which describes itself as "Hounslow's first and only nightclub", has appealed to customers via its Facebook page to show their support and help it stay open.
"(We are) Currently in our 4th year, and in that time, Club K Hounslow has provided an alternate dynamic to Hounslow; hosting various events of a different calibre, creating community cohesion, and ultimately a sense of pride for Hounslow residents of all cultural backgrounds," it said.
"For 4 years we've have worked hard in ensuring Hounslow residents can rely on us to give them a great party experience whilst guaranteeing a safe environment which will enable locals to boldly state that, within they their borough, lays 'West London's Premier Nightclub'."
