An off-licence proprietor’s request to extend the hours he is allowed to sell alcohol has been approved, despite the concerns of police.

Watford Convenience Store, in Market Street, was allowed to sell alcohol between the hours of 9am and 8pm seven days a week, but premises supervisor Harmeet Sidana wanted 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, raised concerns that allowing this “would be detrimental to policing in Watford and the community in its entirety”.

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.

“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.”

Watford Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee allowed a compromise but deciding the store could sell alcohol until 10pm “on the condition that no fewer than four cans are sold in a single sale”.