A BAR in Bournemouth could be stripped of its alcohol licence after Dorset Police said its standards are “falling far short of the level expected”.

The force has requested a review of Xchange in The Triangle in response to “a series of reports” on issues of drugs and public safety.

Members of a BCP Council licensing sub-committee who will take part in a hearing on Tuesday (March 17) have been asked to give "particular consideration" to revoking its licence by police licensing officer Louise Busfield.

Issues dating back to March 2019 have been outlined in her review request.

The first involved the owner of the bar, Stuart Kimber, being admitted to Royal Bournemouth Hospital having taken the drug GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate). He later discharged himself without informing hospital staff.

Following a visit three months later, a council licensing officer said Mr Kimber had a "rather blasé" approach when asked whether drugs were a concern.

In November, emergency services were called to the bar after reports of a man having had his drink spiked.

Ms Busfield said door staff had tried to dissuade people from calling an ambulance for the unconscious man and the paramedics' report said bouncers were also "reluctant" to let them into the building to carry out treatment.

She said these actions could have led to "far more serious" issues for the victim.

Officers investigating the incident were later told that the bar's CCTV system was not working correctly at the time.

Recordings from the bar were requested again on December 1 as part of a rape investigation but they were not provided until December 5 and even then three-quarters of the cameras were out of action.

“Any delays such as those experienced in this case frustrates any investigation," Ms Busfield said. “However, delays to serious investigations do impact significantly due to the number of lines of enquiry that are required to be completed within strict timescales.”

Further incidents outlined in her review request include a man suffering a "drug-induced episode" being injured after falling from the staff-only flat above the bar.

Police have also received reports of people both taking and selling drugs in the bar.

In January the bar's management met with police officers to discuss ways to improve the running of the business.

But police said their proposals did not go far enough and called on the council to review its licence.

“There can be no excuse for licensees failing to act to tackle crime within their premises, particularly where the crime leads to significant harm and vulnerability,” Ms Busfield’s request added.

“When considering the relevance of the review and the potential sanctions, if any, that the sub-committee may choose, it should be emphasised that Dorset Police and other partner agencies are working tirelessly to improve standards within our licensed community and consider that the operating standards at Xchange are falling far short of the level expected.”

Members of a council licensing sub-committee will consider the review at a meeting on Tuesday.