POLICE fear a new strip club in one of Hounslow's 'crime hotspots' will put officers under increased pressure.
Hounslow sector inspector Huw Evans claimed Mist Gentleman's Club - which opened a fortnight ago at the top of Hounslow High Street, near the junction with Bell Road - would put a greater demand on already stretched resources.
The lap dancing club, formerly a snooker hall, is open from 8pm to 4am throughout the week, which police are worried could cause more problems on surrounding streets during the early hours.
"We have to be aware that Hounslow town centre is a crime hotspot," said Inspector Evans.
"Violent crime in this area is twice that of any other ward in Hounslow and we're working hard to address that, but with limited and possibly reducing resources.
"The Comprehensive Spending Review means we're likely to have fewer police officers next year.
"Do I put the officers I have out at 4am or during the day? We can't police at the same levels 24/7."
Addressing a heated audience at last night's Hounslow Central Area committee meeting, Inspector Evans also revealed he and borough commander David Bilson had only heard about the club from a member of the public weeks before it was due to open.
Angry members of the public demanded to know why they had not been made aware of the application during the 28-day consultation period.
Hounslow Council's licensing officer Gary O'Shea said the three Hounslow Central ward councillors were informed and a notice had been published, as is the usual procedure.
However, the ward councillors claimed they had been on holiday at the time and it was too late to respond by the time they received the details.
As a result of public concerns, Mr O'Shea said councillors will in future be told about all licensing applications in neighbouring wards.
Residents told how they felt let down by the council, although officers pointed out they had no legal grounds on which to refuse the application.
One young woman said she was 'disgusted' the club had been allowed to open and claimed it would make her and other young women feel less safe walking through Hounslow at night.
"Who's to say the men who go there aren't going to come out and start perving on us girls? I think it's seedy and disgusting," she added.
Mist's owner Pritpal Dhiman has claimed his club has all necessary security measures in place and will bring in a 'good class of clientele'.
UNDER the terms of the Licensing Act 2003, strip clubs can only be refused on the same grounds as any other licensed premises - meaning moral concerns cannot be taken into account.
New legislation gives councils power to introduce tougher restrictions on 'sex entertainment venues', including the right to refuse permission if it is felt they would harm the 'character' of an area.
Hammersmith & Fulham last month became the first London council to adopt the new powers, while several others have begun consulting residents.
However, Mr O'Shea said the new rules would allow any of Hounslow's 250-odd music and dance venues to host adult entertainment up to 11 times a year without any further conditions.
Members of Hounslow's licensing committee earlier this year decided this drawback outweighed any benefits, but they said residents should be consulted next spring about whether to adopt the new policy.
Even if the new rules are adopted, Mist would be allowed to operate for a year before its licence could be reviewed.
The only way it could be forced to close before then would be if it is found to have breached any of its licensing conditions, for example by causing crime in the area to rise.
Mist is the only strip club in Hounslow, though there are a number of similar venues around Heathrow and in other parts of London.
