Brixton Academy’s corrupt security claims investigated by watchdog as venue remains closed after deadly smash

An investigation has been launched into allegations of corruption among security staff after two people died in love at the O2 Academy in Brixton.

Security guard Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, lost their lives when people made their way into a concert by Nigerian artiste Asake on December 15.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is looking into allegations that some security personnel regularly took bribes.

The claims were made on a BBC File on 4 programme, where a guard said that “several hundred” extra people would often be let in for money and that some staff were “earning £1,000”.

The source said it also happened on the night of the south London smash and claimed the company involved, AP Security, knew what happened.

Paul Fullwood, the SIA’s director of inspections and enforcement, said his organization was assisting the police investigation.

“As the regulator of the UK’s private security industry, we take allegations of corruption by security agents extremely seriously,” he said.

“We have today launched an investigation into these allegations which appear to extend beyond the Brixton O2 Academy.

“We will also review licensing arrangements and take appropriate action against any person or company engaging in such practices as part of our responsibility to regulate licensing in the private security industry.”

The O2 Academy in Brixton is one of London’s most popular concert venues, but it’s Wednesday the license was suspended until at least April 16 as the investigation continues.

Police have opened an online portal where people can submit information, images and videos.

A solicitor for the Metropolitan Police told Lambeth Council’s licensing sub-committee how a crowd of around 1,000 people gathered outside the venue, some pushing the doors and forcing them open.

Four people were hospitalized, said Gerald Gouriet KC.

“Tragically, as we know, two of them died from their injuries. A third remains seriously ill, and the fourth was, fortunately, discharged”.

The music venue’s lawyer, Stephen Walsh KC, said the O2 Academy offered its “sincere condolences to the families of those who died during that tragic incident and its genuine concern for anyone affected by it”.

Sky News has contacted AP Security for comment.