Professional pickpockets targeting Liverpool’s popular Krazy House nightclub

Apr 28 2012 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo

ONE of Liverpool’s biggest nightclubs has banned mobile phones – to deter professional pickpockets.

Thieves have persistently targeted revellers who attend the 1,400-capacity Krazy House in the city centre over the past 12 months.

Now, after discussion with police, the Wood Street venue has taken the unique step of barring any mobiles.

Police have twice tried to take the Krazy House to a licensing review hearing to eradicate the problem.

But on each occasion, the council committee meeting has been postponed at the 11th hour.

Now the three-floor nightclub has decided to completely prevent any mobiles entering the building.

It is thought to be the first time a Liverpool nightspot has introduced such a policy.

The decision is likely to pose logistical problems for revellers who use technology to stay in contact, take photographs and even call for help if necessary.

Banning mobile phones from public places is rare, although they have been prohibited at The Open golf tournament, including in Birkdale in 2008, after complaints from golfers two years earlier at Royal Hoylake. But even that ban is being lifted this year.

Police think a gang may have operated within the Krazy House, one of Liverpool’s most popular and longstanding nightspots.

They have arrested prolific criminals who focused on the Wood Street venue and other busy night-time areas like Concert Square, Ropewalks, Berry Street and Slater Street.

Six men aged between 22 to 39 were charged this month with thefts of phones, wallets and handbags. A 22-year-old man was jailed for 12 weeks for six thefts and another man, 39, was imprisoned for nine weeks for committing two thefts.