A third of black British club-goers are put off going to night clubs due to fear of violence, a survey has suggested.

The ICM poll of 16-24 year-olds, for the BBC's new digital black music station 1Xtra, suggested that a quarter of those questioned had been involved in violent incidents when out clubbing.

Going out is a dangerous sport in some areas

Rod McKenzie, news editor, BBC 1Xtra

Concerns about security in UK night clubs have coincided with growing alarm about black-on-black violence.

Nearly nine out of 10 of black clubbers would welcome tougher security measures in venues, such as the introduction of metal detectors, the survey noted.

Rod McKenzie, editor of TX news, BBC 1Xtra's news service, said: "Many of our audience are worried that it is getting too dangerous to dance and they clearly support any action that will make going out much safer."

Wilber Wilberforce is head of the BBC's new digital station 1Xtra

The fear of violence appears to make it more likely that young people will arm themselves: almost one in five black clubbers said they feel the need to carry a weapon for self defence.

"Going out is a dangerous sport in some areas to some clubs and that's to do with the fact that some people are taking weapons and it's to do with a fear of violence," said Mr McKenzie.

Racism

A third of the clubbers surveyed also said that clubbing had become less safe in the past 5 years.

In addition, 40% of young black males told researchers they had experienced racism when going out to music venues.

1Xtra news quoted eye-witness testimony of the violence which can erupt at clubs.

"There's too much violence going on now, especially black on black violence, its everywhere," said one.

"Its not even boys fighting boys, or girls fighting girls no more - its boys bottling girls as well, or slapping girls," said another.

The ICM interviewed 529 black clubbers aged 16-24 face-to-face from 15 to 25 July.