Detectives in Dudley are searching for a group of thugs who launched a terrifying attack on door staff after being refused entry to a nightclub in the early hours of Christmas Day.

At around 1:20am on 25 December a group of men were turned away from Rock Zombie on King Street due to their intoxicated and aggressive state.

Unhappy about this, they turned on the door staff attacking them. One of the security workers was head butted, causing facial injuries, but was able to lock himself in the club.

The group then turned their rage on the club itself, kicking and punching the doors and windows causing damage and throwing rocks through the broken windows, which again injured the door staff before the men made off. Around an hour later, at 2:20am, three of the men returned in what is believed to be a silver three door Vauxhall Astra with alloy wheels. 

One of them produced what appeared to be a firearm and chased a doorman, pointing it at him and pulling the trigger. The 25-year-old victim understandably feared for his life but was uninjured. Another of the men produced a large machete and struck the doorman twice with it, hitting him so hard the weapon broke. 

DC Pete Miller, from Force CID, said: “Luckily the doorman’s body armour saved him from serious injury and the offenders left the scene in the Astra in the direction of Dudley bus station but the intention was clearly to cause extremely serious injury.

“There were a large number of innocent members of the public out celebrating Christmas, either passing by, queuing to enter the club or already inside who will have witnessed this and may have been afraid for their own safety.

“I would urge them to come forward with any details regarding the people present or vehicle used.”

DC Miller added: “Rock Zombie is a reputable club; the doormen are there to protect the revellers and to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe night out. 

“It is unacceptable that when they are simply doing their job and refuse admission to people who are too drunk that these people should react so disproportionately. It is by sheer good luck that no serious injury was caused to anyone.” 

Witnesses or anyone who can assist police should call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.