The Metropolitan Police has pushed back against plans for a curry restaurant in Ilford to close at 5am.
Ali Curry House, in the high street, has applied to Redbridge Council for permission to serve food until 5am, seven days a week.
The Pakistani restaurant is currently licensed to close at 2am on weekdays, 3am on weekends, and at 1am on Sundays.
In a bid to minimise noise and disorder, the applicants say they will “prominently” display notices “asking patrons to be considerate to neighbours when leaving and to leave the premises quietly and quickly”.
Customers will also be “encouraged not to loiter outside the shop” when they leave.
However, the Met fears it will attract drunk customers who have been out late at nearby bars or pubs.
“Late night refreshment venues frequently attract such patrons and can become focal points for congregation, noise, disorder and antisocial behaviour at times when most other activity within the area has ceased,” the force said in its formal objection to the application.
It wrote: “The proposed terminal hour would likely increase the congregation and movement of persons during the early morning period, creating an increased risk of crime, disorder and
public nuisance.
“Accordingly, police respectfully request that the application be refused.”
It is also within a cumulative impact zone (CIZ), which was introduced by the council in a bid to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area.
CIZs create a presumption that applications for later hours will be rejected except for in “exceptional circumstances” where the applicant can prove it will not add to the cumulative impact on the area.
Redbridge Council’s licensing committee made up of elected councillors, will decide later this week.
