Sheffield Council's former leader Coun Jan Wilson made the claims about Wybourn, in her Manor Castle ward, at a meeting to decide the fate of the area's troubled Windsor Hotel pub.

It has been alleged to have links with drug dealing, gun crime and violence – but owners Admiral Taverns have successfully applied to Sheffield Council's licensing board for a new licence subject to tough conditions.

The previous licence for the pub, formerly run by Curt and Natalie Perkins, was revoked.

Coun Wilson said: "There is consistent under-recording of crime. Nobody seriously believes that just because police have no reports of crime, crime isn't taking place.

"There is a culture in which people will not put things on the record. People living in the immediate vicinity of the public house feel extremely intimidated."

Insp Gary Booth, of Manor Safer Neighbourhood policing team, revealed there had been four incidents at the pub since the Perkins' licence was revoked – including a fight and a brawl at a funeral wake involving 20 people – but no formal complaints were made by those involved.

No incidents have been officially recorded since the couple's departure at the end of June and the committee was told they could not take into account hearsay evidence about any alleged subsequent problems.

But Coun Wilson revealed the pub is "always an issue" at meetings of the local residents' action group: "It's important Wybourn has a well-run community facility, in a well-run pub, but the problem is people in the area don't believe conditions are likely to be adhered to.

"Following the revocation in February, there was not a culture change, even when the licensees were undergoing an appeal."

She said if a new licence was granted, there should be a 'really severe review period' to find out if there were any 'kids, drugs or weapons' in the premises.

Sharon Baines is to be designated premises supervisor, with Admiral holding the pub's licence.

Insp Booth said police had withdrawn their objection to the pub's new licence subject to tough conditions.

They include ensuring Ms Baines is there full-time, a member of the Licence Watch Scheme, tamper-proof CCTV is installed, under 18s are only allowed in at 20 events a year to be held in a separate room, under 21s are asked for identification and there is zero tolerance of drugs.

The pub will also only open until midnight rather than 1am as originally asked for.

And Ms Baines has agreed to attend a safeguarding children course.

Admiral's solicitor Walaiti Rathore dismissed allegations of trouble at the pub as "hearsay and speculation" but agreed to send their area manager on twice-weekly visits. Inspections will be made by council officials in six months and a year's time.

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