POLICE in West Kent ordered The Station House, a pub in Tonbridge town centre, to close on Saturday evening.

Using the powers of the Licensing Act 2003, the order was made in the interests of public safety because police had grounds to believe that there was the likelihood of disorder in or in the vicinity of the premises.

Anne McCarthy, media and communications officer for West Kent Police, said: "Police had responded to reports of a disturbance outside the premises in the early hours of Saturday morning.

"This appears to be linked to an incident that had begun in the pub and ended in an assault taking place at a nearby taxi firm. As a result of the alleged assault a local man received scratches to his face.

"A 36-year-old local woman was arrested in connection with this incident and was given police bail while further enquiries take place.

"Earlier in the week, in the early hours of Monday 13 February, police received reports of a group of people fighting outside the premises. Police went to the area and spoke to a group of people who were being monitored by CCTV but no-one wished to report anything."

The pub closure order was in force from 7pm on Saturday until 3am the following day.

Following the order being put in place the relevant licensing authorities and local magistrates were informed.

Tomorrow (February 22) magistrates will hold a hearing to consider whether it is appropriate to exercise any of the court’s powers in relation to the closure order or any extension of it.