Police call-outs to Herne Bay’s only nightclub have fallen by more than 75% in recent years, new figures reveal.

Just four incidents were reported at Vivid in the High Street last year - down from 17 in 2012.

The statistics are in line with those in Canterbury - where call-outs fell by more than two-thirds over the period.

But Karl Ahmad - who has run the Vivid with his partner Debbie Whitehead since 2009 - believes the figures still do not paint the full picture, claiming most police calls to the club do not actually involve its customers, but people congregating outside it.

“There have never really been many problems there; we’ve only called out the police on four or five occasions over the last nine years,” he said.

“Over the last year, there have been no fights inside the club. There have been arguments, and as soon they’re spotted those involved are separated. It’s a safe environment.

“The problem we have is we are in an area where people congregate and if anything happens – even if it’s got nothing to do with us – people will say ‘it’s outside Vivid nightclub’.

“It doesn’t mean there’s been an issue with the club. We’ve always been tarred by this.”

Mr Ahmad - who was stabbed outside Vivid last year - says the club has not changed the way it deals with rowdy customers over the last five years.

Regular toilet checks are carried out by staff, CCTV cameras have been placed throughout the building, and it has dished out lifetime bans to “a few individuals over the last few years”.

“I guess clubbers at Vivid are better behaved now,” Mr Ahmad continued.

“They’re more respectful towards each other. We’re fortunate because we’ve got a regular customer base.

“I’d say 90% of the people who come here are from the area. Generally, because everyone knows each other, they don’t have arguments.”

Mr Ahmad added that he is aware of just two call-outs last year – one of which was when he was stabbed at 2.45am on July 9.

Anthony Ridge, of Charles Street in Herne Bay, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will attend Canterbury Crown Court next Thursday.

Despite last year’s ordeal, Mr Ahmad believes nightclubs are actually safer than pubs.

“I have an issue with all pubs because they’ve got no security,” he explained.

“Personally, I feel clubs are safer than pubs.

“We have door staff here to prevent trouble from happening. If a fight breaks out between three people, how can a landlord control it?

“I know a lot of pubs run perfectly well without any issues, but it does worry me that you’ve got less control and safety at pubs than you do at clubs.”