POLICE are taking action against Witney FC over alleged violence, underage drinking and drugs,warning someone could die.

Thames Valley Police has applied to West Oxfordshire District Council for a review of the club’s licence.

It says there has been 84 crimes and incidents at the Polythene UK Stadium, Downs Road, in the last five years, with officers attending all of them.

Its application for a premises licence review states: “The current trends show that there is a real risk of serious injury or even a fatality if the correct action is not taken.”

It adds: “It appears that certain groups of youths attend the events knowing that disorder, violence, alcohol and drugs are the main attractions.”

The club said it was working to make improvements.

Incidents listed by police include: l An alleged assault against a female on September 4 l An assault involving four to five people on August 14 l A 16-year-old left unconscious on September 17 l An unconscious male with head injuries on September 4 l Door staff assaulted on May 24, 2009.

The review, to be heard by councillors on December 6, could see the club lose its premises licence. New conditions may be added or a change-over of staff ordered. The application states the police have “serious concerns” over the club’s ability to meet requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

It says: “Issues of violence, disorder, underage drinking and drugs have all been evidenced on a number of occasions.

“Thames Valley Police has tried to address these issues in the past and realise that despite previous meetings and efforts, the problems still exist. This was a last resort.”

The last check, on September 17, found no registered door staff with an “unlicensed volunteer trying to control the door”.

Under-18s had been served alcohol, it added. The organiser had “lost control” and closed it early on police advice, it says.

Stephen Lake, chairman of Witney United FC, said the club has been “working closely” with the police and the council.

He added: “All late-night venues in the area, regrettably, suffer from their fair share of issues – as a club, we distance ourselves from these things, and have worked hard to manage and eradicate them.

“Since an improvement plan was put in place some 18 months or so ago, we have had, in TVP’s own words, a marked improvement in our operation of the functions area.

“However, one incident has sparked the need for a further review, and this is something we will work on with all of the authorities concerned.”

He added that “modifications and improvements” of the facility were under way, including the installation of CCTV to monitor the function area.