Man stabbed to death on dancefloor of Birmingham nightclub CRANE

A 23-year-old man has been stabbed to death on the dancefloor of Birmingham nightclub CRANE [pictured],

The incident took place inside the club at around 11:45PM PM on Boxing Day, December 26, at a party headlined by Italian techno DJ Marco Carola which had begun at 3:PM.

Attempts were made to save his life, but he was pronounced dead around 30 minutes later.

A murder investigation has been launched by West Midlands Police to investigate the fatal incident.

Police are viewing CCTV footage from the nightclub and have urged eye witnesses to come forward with information.

"This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out," said Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood.

"We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time," she added. "While we've spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened."

An attendee named Daisy Allen witnessed the incident and told Mixmag: "The people seemed to be looking for trouble, it was unfair. The boy had fell to his knees and as he went to get up the person stabbed him in the neck area from what i could see. The person that stabbed him had a T-shirt over the lower part of his face."

Writing about it on Twitter, she added: "sending love to the friends and family. never seen anything like it in my life".

Speaking to Mixmag, a friend of the murdered man, who has now been named as Cody Fisher, a non-league footballer and sports coach], criticised the venue's security as "a joke — I feel like anyone could have walked in there with a knife", and described the atmosphere inside the club as "moody".

He paid tribute to 23-year-old, saying: "He's such a good lad. He doesn't have any badness in him. So for that to happen to him is just so sad.

"He's always smiling and had a lot going for him."

Another man, speaking anonymously, told Mixmag the search on the way in wasn't thorough and also described the atmosphere as "a bit moody," adding that: "There was people walking about in balaclavas and shit like that."

He said: "First entry was about three o'clock. I got there about four o'clock. The queue wasn't even that big, it was short, so we got in straight away. There was two [security] people at the start. I think they checked my ID but I didn't have to have my ticket scanned.

"I had a light search but then we went through to the next search, there was no dogs, no metal detectors, it was just another two people tapping you down, but they didn't even check in your wallet or anything, then you were through."

He added that a friend of his brought a bag inside the venue without it being searched.

He left prior to stabbing incident but noted "I wasn't surprised that something like that was allowed to happen after the search," adding that he went onto a second club afterwards which "had metal detectors, dogs, searches, ID scanners, that was ten times what [CRANE] was. CRANE was a ten times bigger venue as well".

In a statement sent to Mixmag, CRANE said: "We have a thorough search policy in place for any and all patrons entering and leaving the venue. This includes the deployment of metal detectors, pat downs, pocket checks, wallet inspections, bag searches and age verification procedures. Searches are conducted in accordance with SIA guidance and best practice. The venue is patrolled by SIA security staff whom responded to the incident as it unfolded on the night.

"The relevant CCTV footage is with West Midlands Police and we are working closely with any requests to assist them with their enquiries.

"On Boxing Day we had an onsite paramedic led team as per our venue policy, who arrived at the scene quickly to administer first aid to the victim until the arrival of the Ambulance Service.

"We would like extend deepest condolences to the family, friends and anyone else affected by this tragedy. We will continue to work closely with West Midlands Police."

CRANE recently reopened in October this year following an extended period of closure for renovation. It first launched back in 2017.

The venue has also shared a public statement on Instagram, writing: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened a man lost his life last night as our Boxing Day event came to a close. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family and friends."

"We are working closely with West Midlands Police as they investigate this crime. We encourage anybody who witnessed this incident, or has any information to share which may help West Midlands Police, to contact them directly.

"We do not feel it is right to hold our New Years Eve event under these circumstances. All ticket holders will be contacted directly and refunded by the relevant ticket providers."

Mixmag has contacted CRANE to request additional comment

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Editor & Digital Director, follow him on Twitter