A POPULAR nightspot has hit back at Cleveland Police and declared itself a safe environment after the force submitted objections to later opening times.

The Keys, in Yarm, near Stockton, has applied to Stockton Borough Council's licensing committee for an extension to its licence on Fridays and Saturdays which would mean revellers could drink an hour later, until 3am.

But Cleveland Police have submitted representations against the later opening, detailing what they claim are a "staggering" 376 incidents in the pub's vicinity.

Now manager Vicky Powell has refuted the claims, saying the incidents range from a stolen handbag to gangs of troublesome youths, many of which have nothing to do with the venue.

In a report to the licensing committee, Cleveland Police state the granting of the application would result in a decline in Yarm residents' lifestyles and an increase in crime and disorder.

But Miss Powell said: "Of the 43 incidents linked to the premises itself, there are only three that we would consider to be serious, the other 40 range from customers losing their mobile phones to a member of staff reporting a group of youths had vandalised his car.

"Furthermore, on analysing the 376 incidents occurring within a 100m radius of the premises, the vast majority are not in any way linked to The Keys.

"Many incidents on the list occurred during times when the club was not even open, and incidents reported included shoplifting of toothbrushes and an occurrence where a mother suspected her son's drink had been spiked at another venue."

Miss Powell said The Keys, long known as the "claggy mat", was the original member of Operation Tranquility, a scheme where licenced premises privately fund police to patrol the streets.

She added: "We have also installed a CCTV camera to High Church Wynd in an attempt to prevent vandalism. Since its installation, we have had no complaints of any anti-social behaviour in the Wynd.

"The Keys is a safe drinking environment and the police have made it look like all the incidents involve drink and are related to us. This is not the case.

"We obviously do get trouble from time to time, but it is dealt with in a safe and professional manner."

The application will be discussed by the council on May 4.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "A decision has yet to be made and it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage."