Person left with ‘broken nose’ after ‘disorder’ at city pub boxing event

One person sustained a broken nose in a fight that broke out at one of the events

A city centre pub will have its licence reviewed as “significant concerns” have been raised about boxing events. Cambridgeshire Police has applied to Peterborough City Council for it to review the premises licence for The Peacock pub in London Road, Peterborough.

Police have requested the review on the grounds the pub is undermining the objectives of: prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; and prevention of public nuisance.

The police have raised “significant concerns” to the promotion and management of boxing events at the pub. In the licencing document, it said: “[This] follows incidents occurring on March 14, 2026, and July 4, 2026, together with subsequent intelligence received by police.

“The cumulative evidence demonstrates a pattern of escalating risk, violence and disorder associated with these events, in the view of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, requires licencing authority intervention.”

On March 14, the document said that there was a “confrontation” and “exchange of words” between a boxer and promoter. It added: “The incident escalated to a verbal and physical altercation requiring intervention from security staff.

“Police were subsequently informed of reports that an individual may have been in possession of a baseball bat outside the venue. Whilst this report was not substantiated and no weapon was recovered, associates of those involved remained gathered outside the venue for approximately thirty minutes following the incident.”

While no offences were recorded, police felt there was a “clear risk of disorder”.

The incident on July 4 took place at around 9.55pm when police received reports of “significant disorder” at the pub. The document said: “The initial report described fighting involving between 15 and 50 persons, injuries including a broken nose and blood being present, together with information that security staff were unable to manage the situation.

“Officers attended and established the incident stemmed from a confrontation involving members of two boxing families attending the event.” Police had to intervene to “restore order”.

Police then received third-party footage from July 7, which showed another violent incident in the back car park. The footage is currently under review and an investigation is ongoing.

From the two incidents recorded by police, the force has said the evidence demonstrates:

• Escalating tensions associated with organised boxing events
• A realistic likelihood of violence and disorder occurring
• Inadequate controls to prevent or mitigate disorder
• Reliance upon security intervention to prevent violence
• Circumstances where security staff were reportedly unable to effectively manage disorder
• The need for police deployment and intervention to restore order
• Significant public safety concerns affecting participants, spectators, staff and the wider public

The pub has held several boxing events within temporary structures and under Temporary Event Notices. The document said the premises had provided information that it would accommodate up to around 200 people at the events.

There would also be “regulated entertainment”, alcohol sales and a marquee. The Peacock is one the oldest pubs in Peterborough, after opening in 1876. It’s a popular pub amongst locals, especially being opposite the Peterborough United football ground.