A Newport nightclub is at risk of losing its premises licence after police raised concerns over public safety. Gwent Police has submitted an application for the licence of Cambrian Road's Vibez Superclub to be reviewed.

Asked what had prompted the application, Vibez owner Jack Bannister told WalesOnline the force had taken issue with the security team's searches of customers entering the club. "The police ask for speculative weekly footage from the venue to check we are complying with the voluntary conditions we agreed to regarding the searching of every customer," he said. "On reviewing this they have decided that some of the searches are not as comprehensive as they would like."

A business requires a premises licence to sell alcohol or offer entertainment. In the application asking Newport council to review Vibez's licence, Gwent Police cites its objectives of "the prevention of crime and disorder" as well as "public safety."

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Mr Bannister, who said he was "disappointed" by the move, said customers can attest there are "airport-like" security searches when entering Vibez. He added: "In recent times knife crime has become endemic across the country and we came to a voluntary arrangement with Gwent Police to search every customer who enters the premises during nightclub trading despite this not being a condition of our licence. There have been no incidents involving knives inside the premises.

"Despite this voluntary agreement Gwent Police has identified occasions where in their opinion security staff have not searched customers thoroughly enough, which they identified through our own CCTV footage. Our security staff are contracted through a third-party company and where we have identified any failings in this voluntary agreement we have acted immediately by demanding additional training or removal of the individual from the door."

The owner described Vibez as "one of the safest venues in the city", pointing to a recent £10,000 CCTV upgrade, the hiring of a CCTV operative, and the purchase of a "knife arch" to detect concealed weapons. He added that the club identified "antisocial behaviour from youths in the 'steps' area next to the venue" and has been erecting temporary fencing each weekend to separate these youngsters from customers in the smoking area. "We have worked with the owner of the land to have gates installed to prevent access to this area at night and these gates will be fitted in the next few weeks," said the businessman.

Mr Bannister continued: "We have always assisted and complied with the police force, even with areas outside of our remit. When police were being attacked before in the street after detaining a passer-by on a bike with a hammer, our security firm formed a ring around the police protecting them from further harm. Something the inspector at the time thanked us greatly for."

He added: "The call for a review on the premises disappoints me greatly but, despite this, once a verdict is reached, we will not be sour. We will still comply fully with the police and licensing authorities, as we believe if we all work together, Newport can strive to have a successful and prosperous nightlife scene again, where customers feel safe not only attending our venues, but feel [the] same in the streets and surrounding areas."

The public consultation over the application means anyone is entitled to submit a representation to the council by the end of October 12. Following the consultation a report will be prepared for the committee that will deal with the review, which will be published on the council website ahead of the meeting, a council spokesperson confirmed.