Police have closed down a café in north London after a spate of violent attacks which have “blighted” the lives of residents.
Addis Ababa in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, was shut after about 20 violent incidents since December last year, police said. The restaurant also has a club downstairs and a licence to serve alcohol until 5am.
The café’s owners failed to improve safety at the premises despite “several months of negotiations.”
This week police obtained a court order to close the eatery until September 24, when it will be subject to a licence review by the council.
Neighbouring businesses, including Sham Café and Arda 2 restaurant, have also been subject to police action due to reports of anti-social behaviour.
A district judge imposed the order to close Addis Ababa at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court yesterday.
Inspector Richard Padwell from the East Safer Neighbourhoods Teams said local residents had been “blighted with noise, anti-social behaviour and incidents of alcohol-related violence” since the beginning of the year.
He said: "This particular stretch of Seven Sisters Road has already seen increased police patrols and has also been subject to a dispersal zone to tackle disorder into the early hours of the morning.
"This is now the fourth premises in the area which has been closed in partnership with Islington Council, in our continued attempts to reduce violence in Islington and to keep our communities safe, as well as improve the quality of life for all who live, work, socialise and commute through the borough."
Councillor Paul Convery, executive member for community safety for Islington Council, confirmed the café’s licence would be reviewed in September.
He said: "Islington Council and police will not tolerate disorder, criminality and persistent breach of licensing conditions in premises like Addis.
“The closure order granted by the magistrates lasts until mid-September and the council will now review the license and consider a permanent closure.”
