A POLICE chief is appealing to a council to call time on fresh pub and nightclub applications.

Superintendent Graham Strange, of Cleveland Police, is calling on Middlesbrough Borough Council to draw a line on the issue of new licences because of fears police resources are being stretched increasingly thinly.

"In the past, we have made objections to new licences and failed. Licences have been granted without thought to the impact on policing. I have got to the stage where enough is enough," he said.

Middlesbrough town centre now extends from the Tuxedo Royale, near the Riverside Stadium, to the Newport roundabout, on the opposite edge of Middlesbrough.

At the same time that thousands of revellers pour out of clubs and nightspots in the early hours, police must also attend to anti-social behaviour and criminal activity elsewhere in the town.

Mr Strange said: "I want to promote Middlesbrough as a good place for a thriving business and a prosperous place, but I also want it to be a safe place.

"To achieve that, policing resources need to be able to manage, but the police are stretched by the number of licensed premises.''

Mr Strange told members of Middlesbrough council's licensing forum: "The scene in the town is changing, but we have not got additional officers to cover.

"I am getting more and more concerned about the way our resources are being stretched as we get more and more licensed premises.''

He said: "I think a line should be drawn somewhere. I want to limit the number of premises. And I think we have to look very carefully in the future at applications.''

A spokesman for Middlesbrough council said: "Since September 1998, the council has formal powers under the Crime and Disorder Act to work with the police on matters of public disorder.

"Using these powers and police recommendations, the council recently refused a permanent variation of a public entertainment licence that would have extended the hours of public entertainment on Mondays to Saturdays, by one hour to 3am.''

The spokesman said: "Decisions on public entertainment licences are only made by the council after full consultation with the police, the fire brigade, various community groups and residents.''

He added: "The council will continue to work closely with the police, looking at each licence application on its merits."