Police failed to get a popular kebab house closed down in the Towns after staff allegedly used weapons to assault customers during a brawl.

Kent Police submitted an application to review the licence of the Chatham Grill take-away in Batchelor Street, in Chatham, after staff were apparently caught on CCTV arming themselves with weapons which they then allegedly used to assault customers.

The incident happened in on Sunday, September 17, at about 9.45pm when three customers ordered some food but complained about it and were also racially abusive to staff who had served them.

A row broke out and the customers were asked to leave but refused to do so, then a violent fight broke out between staff and the three customers where weapons were allegedly used by the staff.

Police said the whole incident was caught on the takeaway’s CCTV system and earlier today officers applied for its premises licence to be revoked.

Members of the licensing hearing panel were asked to decide during a meeting this morning, which was held at Medway Council’s headquarters, Gun Wharf, in Dock Road, Chatham.

Police said they had concerns about the ability of staff to deal with incidents such as what happened that night because there is was an increased risk of incidents happening during its late opening hours.

Officers alleged the brawl in September showed a failure of the venue to promote the licensing objectives of public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.

However, councillors voted to allow the kebab shop to stay open with certain conditions added to its current premises licence.

Police wanted to see at least one door supervisor present at the entrance of the premises between 9pm and closing times on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The venue is open until 1am most nights but on Fridays and Saturdays trades until 3am.

Other conditions police wanted to see imposed was the CCTV coverage in the premises needs improving and should be recorded for evidential purposes at all times and recordings must be kept for a period of at least 30 days and made available to police on request.

They must also be kept in a secure location.

Officers also wanted staff to undertake training in conflict management, including managing angry customers and how to respond to conflict and aggression.

The licensing panel decided to not revoke the premises licence but decided to add conditions to it to allow the business to stay open.

The conditions decided during the meeting have not yet been published by Medway Council.

Police say there is an ongoing investigation into the incident, but as yet no one has been charged.

A 38-year-old man from Gillingham, a 42-year-old man from Chatham and a woman, aged 46 also from Chatham, have all been released under investigation.