Police should be doing more to tackle criminality and anti-social behaviour at a violent nightclub, accoring to a councillor.

On Saturday (May 23), two men in their twenties were hospitalised suffering from serious head injuries after a fight inside LuXe nightclub in High Road, Loughton.

It was the latest in a series of serious incidents at the club, which has also seen a 150-person brawl in 2011, a suspected homophobic attack in 2012 and a man’s face being fractured so badly he could not talk to police.

District councillor James Hart claims many more incidents go unrecorded, adding that more needs to be done to address the concerns of nearby households.

People living in Smart’s Lane behind LuXe say they are frequently woken by drunken crowds and fighting in the street, and drug paraphernalia can often be found in the road.

“If there are drugs being dealt, and violence, then obviously [the police] should be doing more about it,” said cllr Hart, who suggested the most effective way for action to be taken was for members of the public to report issues directly to the council.

He said: “What needs to happen is the residents need to phone up the council’s licensing section and say ‘last night at midnight, there was a fracas outside in my garden, things were smashed, there was foul language, etc.’

“They can then build up evidence and go back to the establishment - unless the council has that record, it can do nothing about it.”

Following the latest assaults, district commander Chief Inspector Denise Morrissey claimed Essex Police “take a strong partnership approach to dealing with night time economy issues” but failed to directly mention LuXe in a statement responding to people’s concerns.

She said: “We challenge the licensees and ensure any conditions of their licences are not breached.

“We carry out high visibility policing patrols on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Any incidents that happen are fully investigated.

“Local residents and people visiting the bars and clubs can be assured that positive action has and will continue to be taken.”

LuXe is in the process of trying to be officially recognised as a nightclub after Epping Forest District Council refused it permission in September 2014.

If unsuccessful, the club could be subject to restrictions on dancing and its entry policy, and could face legal action if it fails to comply.

Managers at LuXe have been contacted for comment.

Witnesses or anyone with information should phone Dc Nicola Hudson at Loughton CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.