A HILLINGDON takeaway has been allowed to extend its opening hours despite opposition from police and residents.
Q and A Pizza and Fried Chicken, in Halls Terrace, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, will now be allowed to serve soft drinks until 12am Sunday - Thursday and up to 2am on Friday and Saturday.
The takeaway, one of several in the same stretch of road, originally applied for opening hours until 1.15am Monday to Thursday and until 2.15am over the weekend.
Hillingdon Council's licensing sub-committee today (Wednesday) heard objections from police and a resident.
Licensing Sergeant Ian Meens was concerned with increased levels of anti-social behaviour and the takeaway becoming a target for criminals if the hours were extended.
He said: "It's been reported by Safer Neighbourhood Teams that the area is popular with youths using the area.
"We have a particular problem further along the road with robbery and burglary.
"We have seen a number of off-licences robbed at knife point for the cigarette counter. We're finding knife point robberies are happening for lesser and lesser amounts of money."
Sgt Meens, told the committee that if the extended hours were permitted, CCTV needed to be updated and seating should not be allowed after 11pm.
Speaking on behalf of residents, Ivan Wallace, added: "The whole area generates a lot of people particularly late at night who behave in not a very nice fashion.
"We just feel to extend the hours will just extend the problem.
"We've had to call police a number of times."
Mr Wallace told of late night noise, bottles being smashed and rubbish being left resulting in a rat infestation.
But today the committee agreed to the shorter opening hours providing police recommendations be put into place.
The extension may be reviewed by the committee if problems arise.
