An application from a pizza parlour to stay open until 5am in the week after Christmas should be thrown out, say police.

Super Pizza in Chatham wants to be able to serve customers for longer from December 27 to January 2.

The halal pizza shop in Batchelor Street originally applied for a temporary event notice (TEN) that would allow it to stay open until 5am every day from Christmas Day until January 2.

However this was rejected as TENs can be a maximum of seven days and cannot exceed 168 hours.

The application was amended and resubmitted but now has received objections from the police who say it would cause a public nuisance and risk crime and disorder.

Currently the takeaway can stay open until 12.30am Sunday to Thursday and until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

If accepted, it would allow Super Pizza to serve customers until 5am every day until January 2.

“On review of the temporary event notice... there has been no recognition of the potential issues raised and safety measures that could be put in place...”

In its letter of objection, Kent Police says Super Pizza is looking to capitalise on party-goers from other businesses with TENs for the festive period, such as pubs and clubs.

It said: “Opening later than normal and the central location of this premises would allow customers intoxicated from other licensed premises, attending Super Pizza, leading to incidents of crime/disorder, noise nuisance and antisocial behaviour as well as the associated issue of littering within the area of this premises.”

Kent Police cited a recent incident near the takeaway where someone had been assaulted and knocked out, suffering grievous bodily harm.

It continued: “Kent police are concerned that a similar incident of this nature will occur when intoxicated customers are congregating inside or outside the premises.

“On review of the temporary event notice submitted by the applicant, there has been no recognition of the potential issues raised and safety measures that could be put in place to reduce any issues relating to crime and disorder or public nuisance, such as employing SIA (Security Industry Authority) door supervisors.“

The application will be considered by councillors on December 18 at the Licensing Hearing Panel.