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Bar didn’t ask for help with underage drinkers
9:25am Wednesday 4th June 2008
POLICE have denied the Sidcup bar where teenage actor Robert Knox was killed had asked for help in dealing with underage drinkers.
The Metro Bar in Station Road, Sidcup, reopened on Monday, after an emergency meeting of Bexley Council's licensing sub-committee on May 27 suspended its drinks licence "to allow tensions to diminish".
At the hearing, the police's application to suspend the licence stated: "Police would suggest alcohol, mixed with a young clientele, some of whom are underage, might have been the cause of this tragedy."
Comments to News Shopper's website suggested the bar had made requests to the police to help it deal with moving on under-18s drinking outside the bar.
But a spokesman for Bexley police said: "We have no record of an approach from the Metro Bar to police, for advice in relation to underage drinking."
The bar now has a number of new conditions on its licence, including the use of hand-held metal detectors by its door supervisors, to check customers for weapons such as knives.
A full hearing into a review of the bar's licence will be heard by the licensing sub-committee on June 20.
Questions have been asked why, if the bar was know to have problems with underage drinkers, no action had been taken before.
Bexley Council, which takes the lead on licensing in the borough said: "The Metro Bar's licence was not being looked at prior to the murder.
"We were unaware of any allegations relating to underage sales at these premises."
A spokesman said together with all other licenced premises in the borough, the Metro Bar had received an "acceptable behaviour contract" asking it to sign up to the Challenge 21 scheme - asking for ID from anyone trying to buy alcohol who looks under 21 years old.
She added: "We have not yet received a response from the Metro Bar."
Days after the stabbing of Mr Knox, 18, of Maidstone Road, Sidcup, dozens of residents turned up to a street meeting organised by police just yards from the bar.
Among the suggestions from residents were the use of metal scanners in all bars and pubs and more police on the streets.
One man got a round of applause for saying: "It is an epidemic and it needs to be stopped.
"If you cannot do it, then get the Army out.
"This is our children you are talking about."
Another public meeting will take place tomorrow at 7pm at the New Community Church in Station Road, Sidcup.
A book of condolence for Mr Knox has been opened at Sidcup library in Hadlow Road.
The Knox family has thanked all those who have paid tribute to their son.
In a statement they said: "We felt as family it was right and fitting the site where the flowers were, near Sidcup railway station, be removed in a dignified manner.
"This was done on Monday. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local people and business community for being patient and respectful of the flower site and those paying their respects.
"We would also like to mention the help given to our family by the local council and police."
Your Say YourShopper
Jack, says...
9:55am Wed 4 Jun 08
The incident came about because of a petty dispute between 2 groups who could not control their actions without the use of weapons.
I hope the support and messges of condolences have given the Knox family some comfort through this tragic time.
Jack, says...
9:58am Wed 4 Jun 08
Closing the place down will not help...those who want to break the law will just go elsewhere sadly.
Russ, says...
10:00am Wed 4 Jun 08
These youngsters just seak in and use a mate's ID (or a relation) and some bars probably don't care...just want the money and hope they don't get caught.
Sue, says...
10:03am Wed 4 Jun 08
"This was done on Monday. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local people and business community for being patient and respectful of the flower site and those paying their respects"
My heart goes out to them and I hope they can stay strong somehow and remember the 18 years of life Rob did have rather than how he tragically died.
Jo, Bromley says...
10:40am Wed 4 Jun 08
Tim, says...
10:49am Wed 4 Jun 08
Pubs just want the money and hope they don't get caught out.
Maybe on a very busy night they don't have enough control either?
From what I have heard the incident at the Metro Bar which was very tragic and my condolences go out to the knox family wasn't down to people being underaged and driking.
More of a on-going dispute between a group of people that sadly turned violent.
Parent - Sidcup, Sidcup says...
1:19pm Wed 4 Jun 08
Golide, Sidcup says...
3:26pm Wed 4 Jun 08
another parent, N.Eltham says...
3:29pm Wed 4 Jun 08
Kirsten, Eltham says...
3:48pm Wed 4 Jun 08
Karen, Sidcup says...
6:36pm Wed 4 Jun 08
Rip Rob I Love You And Miss Youu!!! Youll Always Be In My Heart .<3 ****
pete beat, Marlowe says...
8:25pm Wed 4 Jun 08
We have a problem with drink in this country. We need to stop selling drnk, its to cheap and to many parents, lots of them in Sidcup give there kids booze because they are waek and foolish.
Drink = trouble= death
Mother, Bexley says...
10:09pm Wed 4 Jun 08
friend of robs, says...
10:46pm Wed 4 Jun 08
And i feel you should get your facts right to be honest. The main two people involved in this tragic event were of the legal age to drink.So for all you dogooders who feel you know best, dont just sit and write your feelings do something about it.I mean this in the most respectful way possible but the hurt, us young adults who never cause any trouble, are feeling cannot be described and it doesn't help you generalising us as the binge drinking youth of today.We dont stab, fight or cause trouble, we are good people who just wanted a nice drink together to celebrate the end of school. That's it nothing else.
Five Arches, Sidcup says...
11:06pm Wed 4 Jun 08
kathy, sidcup says...
11:26pm Wed 4 Jun 08
And when I was young we did not even need i.d. we just went to the pub. luckily for us in those day drugs had not taken hold.
its not the youngsters fault, the government have lost control
Mum of 5, Sidcup says...
11:28pm Wed 4 Jun 08
When I first heard this tragic story I too also wondered why this young mans brother was out at that time of night. When I was 16 (and it were safer then) I still had to be in at 10. I disliked my mother for that, but as a mother of a teen myself I understand why she did it. My son doesnt hate me cos I wont let hi out, hes grateful funnily enough. The other point correctly pointed out (as been in several tabloids including this one) is this was all premeditated. They knew he was going back as of a 'stolen phone' I dont believe anyone stole a phone but the fact they were told the score will be settled next friday said it all. Why on earth go back that friday???
My condolences to the Knox family
Mum of 5, Sidcup says...
11:32pm Wed 4 Jun 08
Was only 12 o clock??
Well I can tell ya my teenager wouldnt be allowed to be out at that time of night and hes fifteen. More important is, he doesnt WANT to be out that late. I trust my son implicitly its those around him I dont. And before you say but thats a smokescreen, he knows if he done anything like what that Karl did I PERSONALLY would turn him in.
Sue, Sidcup says...
6:19am Thu 5 Jun 08
I am not saying Jamie or the other 16 year old are trouble makers but sadly as we know there a few who would be.
Clearly going from comments after Friday Rob and Jamie were pretty much like mates and totally trusted each other but is that always the case when youngsters hang about together with older guys?
Probably not.
Wendy, says...
6:32am Thu 5 Jun 08
I don't think anyone was saying this was down to "underage" drinking..
But the lives of underage drinkers were put in danger as well as the older lads over something it seems that was pretty minor.
(I would have thought a 21 year old would have a better way to settle a dispute than use knives..)
I know my son does not feel too confident about being out after 12/1 and he is 21 unless with a lot of mates but ofcourse people have different thoughts.
Its easy to say in hinesight this could have/should have happened and such will only increase the agony and pain for the family.
Sadly the government never seem to think about things like this after after a tragic event!
Shuan, says...
6:40am Thu 5 Jun 08
friend of robs wrote:I don't think anyone was accusing you guys of being drunk of whatever,
i was one of rob knoxs good friends and was there when he got brutelly murdered. For people to sit at their computers and write that it was all down to underage drinking is appaling.Do you have no feelings? And i feel you should get your facts right to be honest. The main two people involved in this tragic event were of the legal age to drink.So for all you dogooders who feel you know best, dont just sit and write your feelings do something about it.I mean this in the most respectful way possible but the hurt, us young adults who never cause any trouble, are feeling cannot be described and it doesn't help you generalising us as the binge drinking youth of today.We dont stab, fight or cause trouble, we are good people who just wanted a nice drink together to celebrate the end of school. That's it nothing else.
The reactions and awareness to stop the attacker suggest to me you are right.
(and from waht I have heard went on beforehand but ofcourse that is only rumour)
Its a general problem though and sadly there are youngsters that do cause problems.
I suspect the 21 year old alleged kilelr took advantage of the fact there were younger people and thought he could fight.
Its to Rob's brave credit that he managed to protect Jamie (sadly with tragic results).
If you guys knew this chap would be back why did you go at all?
Mark, Dartford says...
9:14am Thu 5 Jun 08
Sadly, it seems many parents are do not care where their offspring are, or what they are doing.
Most of these incidents, that are happening now, are involving kids still living at home ( with parents, or parent).
Mother, Bexley says...
11:55am Thu 5 Jun 08
Mum of 5 wrote:Sorry to say this but your either very lucky or very silly because as a mother of 3 children myself, 2 in teenage years it is not adviseable to trust your kids implicitly because you are heading for a hell of a lot of heartache. All kids get up to some rule breaking and like you say he is only 15 he has many more years to catch up with the teenage years yet.It would be a good idea not to put that smoke-screen to high as it may cause more damage then good and you could find yourself very hurt. If parents started admitting their kids involement in matters instead of passing it off as someone else childs that is the cause we maybe all be able to work together and help each other as parents, but sadly you will always get one saying its someone else child not mine?
Karen: Was only 12 o clock?? Well I can tell ya my teenager wouldnt be allowed to be out at that time of night and hes fifteen. More important is, he doesnt WANT to be out that late. I trust my son implicitly its those around him I dont. And before you say but thats a smokescreen, he knows if he done anything like what that Karl did I PERSONALLY would turn him in.
A mum to 2 teenage boys, Welling says...
5:52pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Sue wrote:This must have been the hardest thing, for a parent to do. My heart goes out to Robs Family and Friends!
\\\"We felt as family it was right and fitting the site where the flowers were, near Sidcup railway station, be removed in a dignified manner. \\\"This was done on Monday. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local people and business community for being patient and respectful of the flower site and those paying their respects\\\" My heart goes out to them and I hope they can stay strong somehow and remember the 18 years of life Rob did have rather than how he tragically died.
Welling Resdient, Welling says...
6:11pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Mum of 5, sidcup says...
6:58pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I trust my son because he DOESNT go out. Doesnt want to. He stays in except to go to youth club, and even then he gets taken and bought home. When it comes to indoors he is a royal pain, but when things happens he owns up to it ... I am NOT one of these parents that blames another child for my kids behavoiur. I ALWYS turn to my kids first and getting to the bottom of the situation, and if i couldnt do that then I would naturally go to the other parent and sit and talk things out.
Wise????, around says...
9:01pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Mum of 5 wrote:If you read the Somerfield sign, at the top in the biggest writing is "never back down".Frightening isnt it?
Parent-Sidcup & Five Arches: When I first heard this tragic story I too also wondered why this young mans brother was out at that time of night. When I was 16 (and it were safer then) I still had to be in at 10. I disliked my mother for that, but as a mother of a teen myself I understand why she did it. My son doesnt hate me cos I wont let hi out, hes grateful funnily enough. The other point correctly pointed out (as been in several tabloids including this one) is this was all premeditated. They knew he was going back as of a 'stolen phone' I dont believe anyone stole a phone but the fact they were told the score will be settled next friday said it all. Why on earth go back that friday??? My condolences to the Knox family
Tom, says...
9:38pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I have no idea really but it could be "never back down to those with knives"
A sort of don't let these thugs win over most normal decent living people?
Like you I do hope its not supposed to some sort of message for revenge against the alleged killer/ friends etc
I just wanted to say Rob's brother is 17 and there was a chap called Andrew who was 16 but they were not actually drinking or drunk.
Agree its a general problem though and the cause of many problems.
Emma, says...
9:48pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I am pretty sure Mr and Mrs Knox were not ones to let their 2 lads go out and get drunk.
From what I have heard they weren't on the night in question and drink had no part to play in the actual incident.
As somebody said this was a dispute of some kind which tragically ended in a young talented lad losing a life and others getting injured/ scared for life.
Mum of 5, Sidcup says...
8:25am Fri 6 Jun 08
wise???: I dont understand your point. You quoted what I put but What you said was irrelevent to what you quoted from me
george, sidcup says...
6:22pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Welling Resdient wrote:The noisy volgar place may not be your idea of a good good night out but plenty of young adults love it,perhaps you think they should all sit in the library and go to bed at 9pm,get real !
JUST CLOSE THIS NOISY, VULGAR, NAUSEOUS PLACE DOWN
Wise???, around says...
7:52pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Tom wrote:It means if someone one fronts up to you and you back down e.g you bottle it , you are a mug, somebody thinks it was worth it to stand up to a guy with a knife even if it means you lose your life. The guy Rob is dead and someone thinks that even with hindsight he made the right decision in not trying to get out of the situation.
What do you think that is meant to state? I have no idea really but it could be "never back down to those with knives" A sort of don't let these thugs win over most normal decent living people? Like you I do hope its not supposed to some sort of message for revenge against the alleged killer/ friends etc I just wanted to say Rob's brother is 17 and there was a chap called Andrew who was 16 but they were not actually drinking or drunk. Agree its a general problem though and the cause of many problems.
Mum of 5, Sidcup says...
9:27pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Its immature of you or anyone that thinks its cool to get stabbed etc.
Grow up!!!
GOD, UP ERE says...
10:17pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Mum of 5 wrote:If you read what the Wise one was saying you will comprehend that that is entirely his point. Are you hard of thinking?????????
You know, id rather be seen as a 'mug' as ypu kindly put it than lose my life. Its immature of you or anyone that thinks its cool to get stabbed etc. Grow up!!!
Wise????, around says...
10:24pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Never back down was on the Somerfield sign.
Connect the two!!!!
I urge all young people, it is better to be seen as a coward ( not that you are) than not to be seen ever again.
In other words lose a bit of face but live a little longer EH??
Mum of 5, Sidcup says...
5:16pm Sun 8 Jun 08
My apologies I read what you put wrong. There was no need for the 'hard of thinking' comment tho.
Yes I agree tho
kevin may, says...
8:03pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Parent - Sidcup wrote:I must say you clearly have no idea of the facts.I challange you to to explain how, when etc there was a warning of as you si ignorantly allege that it was well reported that there was to be truoble.So, you makr judgement on hearsay do you. I personally challenge you to explain your statement that the older brother was been sent to as a minder for his 16 year old brother.You are ignorant,ill infirmed (his brother is not 16) and offensive. If you cannot explain why yiu have the age of the poor lad wrong and cannot provide evedence, as you clearly state that there was going ti be trouble you are not fit to have an opionion. So am i correct in thinking that you have dragged your children on hearsay and lies. I am telling you thaqt yiu are a lying fraud.I await your evidence of your claims and not lies but facts.
As a parent it is very tragic what has occured and nothing can make up for the loss of a child, but I think we are missing the point as to what a 16 year old was doing out at this time of night. Also to have his older brother being his \'minder\'. I have children who have just left their teens and I state that they would not have been in this kind of situation. It was already well reported earlier that trouble was going to occur, yet both the brothers still put themselves at risk!! Neither Security, the Landlord or the Police can be held responsible for what was negligent parenting!
John, says...
10:24pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Russ, says...
10:26pm Mon 9 Jun 08
You had a drink or two before writing that tosh?
The "Parnet" has a point but ofcourse that does not excuse the stabbing of young boys in a fight or no fight.
Mum of 5, Sidcup says...
2:45pm Thu 12 Jun 08
BF, sidcup says...
1:46pm Fri 20 Jun 08
lisa, bromley says...
9:20am Tue 24 Jun 08
Im 17 and go to bars/clubs all the time because i have an ID that says im 22. Stupid really, i just look my age if not 16 but have never been turned away. As much as i love goin out on the town the only reason i started it because my mates did so by stopping the whole under 18 generation gettin in would solve it which can only be done in the long-term. These IDs are tooo easy to come across (add can i add proper driving liscences not the shi* internet copies that dont even work). Until the days of retina scans your always gonna get kids in bars.
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Rob Knox, 18, was stabbed to death at the Metro Bar
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Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
9:54am Wed 4 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott