The deaths of two teenaged men from suspected overdoses of drugs at the Fabric nightclub in Farringdon have resulted in the closure of the club by Islington council, at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

The request follows an undercover Police operation, carried out after the first death two months ago, where officers witnessed open use of Class A drugs and drugs being offered for sale. Some clubbers exhibited clear signs of drug use, including glazed red eyes and staring into space, and Police say staff intervention and security was “grossly inadequate” They say that fears for the safety of those attending the club prompted the need to act.

The substance that killed the two young men was a strengthened version of recreational drug 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) known as ecstasy (E) Deaths have been caused by increased body temperature and dehydration and it has been estimated to be used by one to three in 500 of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64, about the same number who use cocaine, amphetamines and opoids. Its use is mostly associated with dance parties, raves and electronic dance music.