Police have called for a shop to be banned from selling alcohol after reports of drunken customers using the High Street as a public toilet.

Officers have requested a review of the license of Euro Foods in Chatham because of anti-social behaviour.

A report said groups congregate on the benches outside the shop at 131 Chatham High Street, drinking alcohol they have bought inside.

They intimidate passers-by and other shop workers and have been seen urinating and defecating in the High Street, as well as in the areas at the back on nearby premises.

They beg for money to buy more alcohol, attempt to steal from local shops and sometimes become aggressive.

They are seen staggering around the street or lying on the benches comatose because of drinking. They leave behind litter and needles using for injecting drugs.

Witnesses have reported that the shop sells alcohol to the street drinkers when they are already drunk and police say the licensee has been hostile and rude towards its officers, as well as council licensing officers and customs officers.

PC Clare Cossar said: “It has made working with him to promote the licensing objectives very difficult.”

Kent Police has asked for the shop to be banned from selling alcohol for three months and after that for the sale to be restricted to between 10am to 9pm. It has asked for a number of conditions to be imposed, including no single can sales and no beer, larger or cider above 5.5%ABV to be sold.

Medway’s licensing committee will consider the application next week.