The report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Hearing Panel considered a report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing.  The Hearing Panel also considered the written papers of the parties submitted and the oral representations of the parties who attended as well as the relevant legislation.

Greater Manchester Police addressed the Hearing Panel, stating that the licence for Cargo was issued on 10 May 2021 to Opus Entertainment group and the DPS was a Mr Andrew Brett, who was not available today owing him to being out of the country. The incident occurred as follows. At 20:50 hours n Monday 27 May 2024 GMP received a call from a male who stated that his 12 year old son had been attending an under-16 event at Cargo and had been threatened that he would be stabbed by a group of people. Later, it was confirmed that this boy had been punched in the face. CCTV shows 30/40 people involved in fighting outside the premises not long after this call and at 21:05, GMP arrived. It was noted that no call had been made to GMP from the premises at this point. As GMP arrived, those congregating outside the venue disperse quickly in all directions, some into the Printworks where fighting continued to take place. GMP had Printworks security lower the shutters on Withy Grove to contain the incident and at 21:10 there was 70 to 100 people involved. GMP deployed a Public Disorder Tactic, creating a human cordon and walking up Withy Grove to move people away from the scene. GMP received reports of people with knives, although none were witnessed by GMP themselves. By 21:30 most people had dispersed. This occurred after an Under-16 event comprising of teenagers between 11 and 16 years of age. This incident came shortly after a male was stabbed at Cargo around 3 months previous. GMP chose not to bring a review forward as the premises agreed to install knife wands and ID scanners. Unfortunately, this latest incident, coming so close after the stabbing, has caused concern and a Summary Review was felt to be necessary.

GMP showed CCTV of the incident confirming comments referred to in their representation. No footage had yet been received by GMP of the incident inside Printworks or from Cargo and their security staff bodycams.

In responding to questions from the Hearing Panel and the representatives from Cargo, GMP stated that:

• They would be checking social media for mobile phone footage of the incident
• That Cargo were co-operating with GMP and footage would be provided but the CCTV footage shown today had been deemed to be sufficient to bring about the Summary Review
• The stabbing was the first serious incident at Cargo since Opus Entertainment took over the Licence in 2021. GMP discussed options with the operators and variations that would halt any such incident occurring again. A more formal approach was now necessary
• That the premises did have a barrier outside but there was no real dispersal tactic. The CCTV shows that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.