POLICE and neighbours are calling on councillors to reject moves for a takeaway, already at the centre of allegations of anti-social behaviour, to stay open until the early hours of the morning

The owners of the Odana takeaway in Friarage Street, Northallerton, have applied to Hambleton District Council’s licensing panel for late night opening from 11pm to 2am every day of the week.

But police and neighbours have objected to the proposal.

Sgt Simon Wilson, manager of the Safer Neighbourhood Partnership, said there had been 16 incidents involving the premises reported in the last 18 months and they feared extended opening would make it worse.

In a statement to the licensing panel he said: “As a result of incidents reported to police and concerns about the surrounding neighbourhood I would have concerns that increasing the opening and serving hours of these premises will have a negative effect on the quality of life of residents and visitors to Northallerton.

“In the area of the premises there are business and private residences and I believe increasing its hours will cause anti-social behavuour and crime to increase in this neighbourhood for these residents.”

He said there could be problems with customers of neighbouring premises having a reason to remain in the area leading to greater opportunities for drunken behaviour to develop into violence.

Incidents reported to police included delivery staff giving taxi rides to children, damage to the premises, children reported missing from home found at the Odana, and fights and disputes between parents/partners and staff.

Sgt Wilson said an intervention meeting had been held with the owner and the safer neighbourhood partnership in November, but there were still problems.

Fran Branigan of estate agents Strutt and Parker objected on behalf of the owners of neighbouring premises.

She said: “Tenants have already suffered intimidation, littering and anti social behaviour in the area, this has included noise, nuisance and illegal drug/alcohol use.”

The Odana does not serve alcohol and so only needs a licence if food and hot drinks are served after 11pm.

In the application, which will be considered on August 4, the owner, who could not be contacted for comment, said they were a small business only serving hot food and drink and they would ensure any litter was cleaned up after closing.