An application for a license to sell late night hot food in Leeds city centre has been approved - despite concerns over anti-social behaviour and violent crime in the New Briggate area.
Police opposed an application for a license at takeaway The Wok Shop to sell food to be eaten on and off premises between 11pm to 4am, Monday to Sunday.
In a report considered by councillors at yesterday's licensing sub-committee meeting, police said that the New Briggate area was one of three violent crime hotspots in the city centre.
Late-night incidents in area
A letter by licensing officer Catherine Arkle outlining police concerns said there had been a substantial number of anti-social late night incidents outside premises in the area - and revealed that there have been discussions around closing New Briggate at certain times to allow late-night crowds to disperse. Arkle wrote:
"These incidents are usually alcohol related and, whilst we accept that the late night takeaways do not sell alcohol, they do attract inebriated persons from nearby clubs and bars, resulting in higher than average violent crime associated with their premises but especially on the street.
"Late night refreshment premises are well known for being 'flash points' of violence."
The letter says that New Briggate is one of the main corridors out of the city centre to the north and suffers from 'extreme congestion' on weekend because of the number of people using the route. Arkle added:
"Due to this severe congestion West Yorkshire Police and Leeds council's highways department have been in discussions over closing New Briggate to vehicular traffic at peak times in the interests of public safety, to prevent crime and disorder and to prevent public nuisance. It also allows for easier dispersal as people will be able to walk in the road and this should lead to a reduction in violent crime."
Police said they had been in talks with businesses for the premises to provide extra door staff for a four-hour period on a Friday and Saturday nights to work alongside police as street marshals.
Arkle's letter adds:
"The fact that there is already a high volume of late night licensed premises in the area does not necessarily mean that a responsible operator could not come in a 'raise the bar' but it does pose significant problems and in my opinion [the] application does not go far enough."
Full-time manager on-site and CCTV pledge
Gary Adams, solicitor to the applicant, said in his application that there would be a full-time manager on-site at all times to ensure licensing objectives were met and that staff would be properly briefed. He also said CCTV would be installed on the premises and that the number of people allowed on-site at any one time would be limited.
It should be noted that press and public were excluded from the bulk of the Wok Shop hearing while representations from both parties were heard. The decision was taken due to the 'sensitive nature' of some of the information provided by police on problems in the area.
In making their decision, the licensing panel - made up of councillors Mark Dobson, Suzi Armitage and Ryk Downes - agreed with the police that 'late night refreshment establshments are undermining crime prevention objectives' particularly on a Friday and Saturday night.
However they granted the license, subject to a number of conditions, including a suitable CCTV system to be maintained and operational, footage to be retained for a minimum of 31 days, a radio link be maintained to the police and a minimum of two door staff should be employed at all times.
The conditions were requested by the police should the application be approved.
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