A POLICE chief visited Basildon nightclubs while they were in full swing to check on security following a spate of violent incidents.

Chief Insp Sam Smith, district commander for Basildon, carried out checks at both Unit 7 and Chicago’s at Festival Leisure Park at about 1am last Saturday to see if bosses abided by the premises’ licences.

She wanted to review the venues after multiple revellers suffered serious injuries on different occasions after fights broke out at the park.

Mrs Smith said that she was satisfied that managers at the clubs were doing all they can to abide by security measures.

She said: “I met with both of the designated premises’ supervisors at both of the venues.

“I went while it was busy because I wanted to see if they implemented what the licences requires of them.

“To be fair, I was quite impressed with how they ran their operations.

“At Unit 7, they have a very high-tech booking in system. You can’t get into the club unless you have a form of identification, such as a passport or driving licence.

“They scan it so they know who is in the club and when, which gives them some peace of mind.”

She added: “Historically, there were issues around reports of indecent assaults in the toilet areas and the licence requires them to have door staff to ensure that women go into the women’s toilets and men go into the men’s.

“It was good to see so many door staff.

At Chicago’s, Mrs Smith noted that door staff were using a radio system and had use of body-worn cameras.

She said: “I am satisfied that they are fully complying with their licences at the moment.”

The visits came after a reveller suffered life-changing injuries when he was knocked down in the car park in February following an argument.

A week later a man suffered serious facial injuries after a fight broke out close to the dancefloor inside Chicago’s nightclub.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the incidents can contact PC Natalie Backhouse on 101 or email at 77010@essex.pnn.police.uk. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously.