Anti-social behaviour and street drinking could surge if a Watford off licence is allowed to extend the hours it can sell alcohol, according to a neighbourhood police officer.

Watford Convenience Store, in Market Street, can currently sell alcohol between the hours of 9am and 8pm seven days a week, but premises supervisor Harmeet Sidana wants to extend those hours until midnight, as well as opening the shop at the earlier time of 7am.

However Licensing Sergeant Luke Mitchell, of the Community Safety Unit based at Watford police station, argued that allowing this “would be detrimental to policing in Watford and the community in its entirety”.

In his representation to Watford Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee, which will decide on the application, he said: “Market Street has had a historical problem with regards to street drinkers, resulting in complaints from businesses and residents, daytime and evening, regarding anti-social behaviour.

“In this anti-social behaviour hotspot, this would be detrimental to what we are trying to achieve in the area. Together with the council, we aim to alleviate current issues and not create more.

“Selling alcohol until midnight could increase the volume of customers seeking to pre-load with alcohol before going on to on-licensed premises. There is a risk of an increase in crime and disorder when there is an opportunity for members of the public to pre-load.

“We feel if this were to be granted it would be detrimental to policing in Watford and the community in its entirety. This therefore raises strong concerns of how this would impact the wider community in terms of increased anti-social behaviour, and crime and disorder.”

He added that police had suggested alternative times and conditions to the applicant but the two parties were unable to come to an agreement.

As part of the application, Mr Sidana has suggested a number of conditions to lessen the negative effects of street drinking at his premises, which falls within a “sensitive licensing area”, such as no individual cans or bottles of beer or cider being sold, as well as the installation of a comprehensive CCTV system.

Police have asked that if the licence is granted, no super strength beer or cider of more than 5.5 per cent ABV should be sold, as well as miniature or quarter bottles of spirits.

The application will be decided by Watford Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee on Monday, October 16.