Police have warned plans for a new shisha bar in a town centre could lead to crime and rowdy behaviour.

An application has been submitted to Medway Council for the hookah lounge in a backyard behind Railway Street, Chatham.

If approved, the smoking parlour would trade behind retailers Kent Barbers and Vape Centre UK, opposite The Prince of Wales pub.

The proposal, put forward by Macintosh Davies Limited, would provide for commercial use via a connected but underused courtyard at the rear of both sites.

This area would be overhauled and converted into an accessible, outside shisha lounge accessed off Waterfront Way, serving customers drinks and cold food such as sandwiches.

Information on the application's planning portal says the courtyard will be paved and landscaped to provide an "attractive and inviting environment”.

A shisha lounge allows customers to sit and smoke shisha - pipes for burning tobacco in which smoke passes through a container of water before being inhaled.

Its origins can be traced back to the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia where they are long-established as communal meeting places.

Since the 2007 indoor smoking ban in the UK, shisha consumption has risen by approximately 210% and they’ve become popular with all sections of the community, especially young people.

Like regular smoking, Hookah smoke has high levels of harmful chemicals and it carries health risks.

However, police have also said the proposed shisha bar in Medway could lead to public order problems if given the green light.

A statement by the force's designing out crime officer read: "Recessed areas at ground floor level are a significant concern, [as] they are likely to attract crime, anti-social behaviour and nuisance, and can provide a secluded space which attracts criminality.

"For commercial and retail units [they] can provide an unofficial smoking area that can lead to nuisance and conflict, and shelter for loitering which can increase the fear of crime.

"We recommend CCTV to cover entrances, exits, bar and till areas. CCTV should also be in all public areas, including the courtyard to ensure there are no blind spots."

It would be open from Monday to Friday between the hours of 5pm and 11pm, plus on Saturdays from 5pm to 1am.

A decision is expected by March 19.

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.

KentOnline has attempted to contact the applicant for comment.