A 'trail of blood' was left outside a Manchester city centre bar after a 'man with a gun' fled a fight which saw someone stabbed in the leg, according to the police. The Lawn Club in Spinningfields has been closed since the incident on Sunday night (June 4) and its licence has now been temporarily suspended.
A GMP report published ahead of a licensing hearing today (June 7) reveals that firearms officers attended the scene after a member of staff called the police saying there was a 'large group of people fighting' and that one had a gun. They went on to say that another man was lying unconscious and that they thought that the man with the gun had now left, according to the report.
At 10.25pm, ambulance crews told police that a man had been stabbed in the leg, but that the knife was no longer in his leg and they did not know where it was. A 'huge amount of investigation' into the incident is now taking place to identify those responsible and the victim who was stabbed is yet to be traced.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link
Firearms officers confirmed there was 'blood on the floor' outside the bar and that they had been told that the victim had got up and walked away, according to the police report. Other GMP officers were then deployed to the location and spoke to staff who confirmed they saw the firearm and provided CCTV.
The CCTV showed an argument taking place between two men before a third man turned up and pulled out a black handgun which 'thankfully was not fired', according to the report. It said: "Officers also noted that there was blood inside the premises, near to the door of the premises and then a trail of blood leading away from the premises."
A crime for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence has now been submitted. The report said GMP have 'serious concerns' as to the safety of the customers and staff at the premises due to possible reprisals.
Police representatives requested that Manchester council suspends the bar's licence until a full review is heard before the licensing committeee. The Lawn Club voluntarily closed after the incident ahead of a hearing today (June 7) where councillors suspended the licence pending the result of the review.
A spokersperson for The Lawn Club operator Hardman Bars said: "On Sunday 4th June, an incident occurred at The Lawn Club, the premises operated by Hardman Bars. This was during an event organised by a third-party promoter.
"As a result of this incident, we voluntarily closed the premises temporarily. We also recognise and fully comply with the request by GMP for a temporary suspension of our licence while the incident is investigated and reviewed in full. This is for 28 days from Wednesday 7th June.
"We are cooperating entirely with GMP and Manchester City Council to provide any information they require in relation to the incident.
"We’d like to reassure our customers and the community that this is an isolated incident. But nevertheless, the safety of our team, customers and the community are of the highest importance to us. As such, during this period of closure, we will be actively working with the authorities and relevant parties to review all policies and procedures in place at the premises."
A spokesperson for Allied London, which manages the Spinningfields estate, said: "We are aware of an incident having occurred at a premises operated by Hardman Bars, who are a longstanding tenant in the Spinningfields district. We are supporting their team and the authorities to provide any assistance and cooperation in the ongoing investigation."
Read more of today's top stories here.
READ NEXT:
