A city center cafe where a police officer was put under the helmet and drugs were found has been closed.

Cafe Nos Terra, in Norwich Road, Ipswich, has had its license revoked after Suffolk Police called for it to be “immediately suspended”.

The decision over the restaurant’s future was made by Ipswich Borough Council’s licensing and regulation sub-committee at a meeting.

In a statement, cafe owner Dirce Maior said: “I don’t think it is fair to penalize me or my business for past incidents that I have already taken steps to resolve. »

The recommendation to close the cafe came after multiple serious unrest which left the force “without options”, » said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Presenting the police case, its licensing manager, Ms Sharon Betts-Palmer, said police had “very serious concerns” about the way the cafe was being run.

Ms Betts-Palmer reiterated the police report that the cafe had become “a serious local problem” since Carla Alexandra Melo de Sousa took over the premises as resident permit holder and supervisor.

On October 5, Sgt Mason Blanchard said he was punched in the head by a man while trying to break up a large-scale fight involving around 10 people outside the premises.

In his witness statement he said: “As I grabbed one man who had another in a headlock, I felt a forearm on my throat applying pressure and another arm around my size.

“I was pulled from the group with continuous pressure on my upper body and throat, and pushed back towards one of the cafes.”

The officer said he used “proportionate and minimal” force to gain control of the man, while members of the public attempted to prevent his arrest.

During the meeting, however, it was argued that the premises had already been closed for 45 minutes when the fight broke out.

Parts of the officer’s statement have also been refuted on behalf of the permit holder, including claims that he announced himself and wore full police uniform.

A statement submitted by Lara Moreira, the daughter of cafe owner Dirce Maior, said: “At no time did we see (the man) hit the police officer with a headbutt.

“We observed a man who attempted to defuse the situation and was approached from behind by a police officer who did not announce who he was. When he realized it was a police officer, he ‘hastened to apologize.’

Ms Betts-Palmer also said the cafe was now known for its drug dealing, including two drug-related incidents.

On October 1, the premises were the subject of a search warrant during which officers found a male member of staff in possession of a small bag of cannabis and another male customer with several bags of cannabis and a packaging of cocaine as well as two telephones, one of which was a burner.

During the search, officers found a cannabis grinder and digital scale next to the coffee machine and two steak knives in the toilet vanity unit.

In the reception room there was also a compartment containing a mattress, sleeping bags and documents for different people.

It has been argued, however, that the cafe “cannot control what a person has on them” and that the establishment does not advocate “criminal activity” and is “in no way connected to drugs or to any illegal activity. “.

In a statement, Ms Maior added: “I do not think it is fair to penalize me or my company for past incidents that I have already taken steps to resolve.

“This job is my passion, I am so happy to be able to have a space like Nos Terra which welcomes people from all backgrounds and all ages every day.

“We are not here to fight with the authorities or to cause trouble. »

After adjourning the meeting for review, councilors decided to revoke the premises license.