A NIGHTCLUB has agreed to introduce body worn cameras for its door staff at a music event following police concerns.

Last month, bosses from the Union bar/K2 nightclub in Front Street, Consett applied to extend hours for a one-off event hosting clubland act Ultrabeat.

This included alcohol sales, late night refreshment and regulated entertainment until 3am on Sunday.

However, the venue found itself in hot water after advertising the gig on social media before the temporary event notice was decided.

Scant event details in the submitted council application form also sparked an objection from Durham Police.

As a result, a licensing hearing was held on Tuesday to rule on the application.

Premises licence holder James McDonald, speaking at Durham County Hall, said the extended hours were linked to the music act needing to start late.

The nightclub boss also apologised to the council’s licensing sub-committee for the advertising – which he said was carried out by another person – and added extra door staff and ticket checks would be in place.

At the meeting, police raised concerns about the operation of the event, the number of people attending and wider crime issues in Consett’s late night economy.

Newly-appointed neighbourhood sergeant for Consett, Jamie Gray, revealed he was investigating three alleged assaults at Union/K2 from the previous weekend and raised questions about staff reporting crime incidents at the venue.

The revelation from police prompted sub-committee chairman, Cllr Colin Carr, to stall proceedings to allow Durham Police and venue owners to discuss the issue.

Following private talks, venue bosses agreed to equip several members of door staff with body worn cameras for the event to provide a video record of the entrance to the venue, ticket stops and wider event space upstairs.

Police also asked venue owners to ensure customers exit safely from the venue, with any disruption reported to the police.

Councillors welcomed the move and following discussion, agreed to grant the temporary event notice until 3am.