Iconic pub The Dolphin faces closing doors earlier after police request

The Dolphin in Mare Street. Photograph: Ella Jessel

An iconic late night hangout had its hours cut after police today branded it a crime hotspot.

150-year-old pub The Dolphin now faces having to close at 1.30am at the latest after Hackney Council’s licensing committee resolved to amend its licence.

The licence had previously allowed it to stay open until as late as 4.30am on some nights, but Sgt Guy Hicks from Hackney Police told the licensing meeting longer hours meant “more drunkenness and more targets for crime”.

He said police figures showed a total of 160 crimes had been recorded at the Mare Street venue between 2010 and 2013 and added that this was “disproportionately high” compared with other venues in the area.

Though Sgt Hicks praised staff including manager Kay Underdown for taking steps to beef up safety, he said “drunkenness” of customers played a major part in allowing “very, very organised criminal gangs” to steal property.

He also criticised a “£1 per pint” promotion he said the pub had publicised via Twitter – though Ms Underdown said the offer had not in fact been put into practice.

After over an hour deliberating, the committee – composed of councillors Brian Bell (chair), Barry Buitekant and Abraham Jacobson – also resolved to reduce the pub’s capacity by 150 to 570 people.

Lawyer Rachel Kapila, representing Dolphin licence holder Yasar Yildiz told the meeting a reduction in crime could be achieved using “less draconian methods” than cutting the pub’s hours.

The Dolphin’s owners are yet to reveal whether they plan to appeal today’s decision.

In July Ms Underdown told the Hackney Citizen any tightening of The Dolphin’s licensed hours would be “disastrous” for the venue.