The Met Police have joined local residents fighting plans to increase the number of people attending festivals in London’s Hyde Park.
The Royal Parks wants to expand the capacity for the British Summer Time music festival by 75,000 people.
Central London resident groups have rallied against the proposals, complaining about anti-social behaviour, noise and the bird life around the Serpentine being disturbed.
PC Reaz Guerra, for the Met, wrote to Westminster council to protest the plans.
He said: “The Metropolitan Police, as a responsible authority, object to this application as it is our belief that if granted the application would undermine the Licensing Objectives.
“There is insufficient detail contained within the operating schedule to promote the licensing objectives. It is for these reasons that we object to this application.”
This year BST Hyde Park will see Duran Duran, Mumford & Sons and Lewis Capaldi among the headliners.
Latin hip-hop star Pitbull is also organising a record attempt to gather the largest number of people wearing bald caps in one place during his gig on July 9.
Last year Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young and Stevie Wonder played to sold crowds.
Royal Parks currently has a licence to sell alcohol to up to 555,000 revellers at nine days of festivals in Hyde Park.
The charity wants to up this to 630,000 concertgoers across the same number of events.
The Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Forum and the Residents' Society of Mayfair and St James's are among those opposing the plan.
One resident said: “I am afraid dispersing concert goers are not well behaved and run through residential streets screaming and alas urinating.
“Hyde Park was destined for all to enjoy not to be taken over by paying guests with no respect for the environment.
“I am also reliably informed that the bird life on the Serpentine is adversely affected by light, noise and lack of downtime.”
However, local business groups have supported the plans.
The Baker Street Quarter Partnership, which represents 175 local businesses, organisations and landowners, said it supports the application “because of the considerable benefit it will bring to the local economy”.
The Heart of London Business Alliance and New West End Company have also given their backing.
A spokesman for the Heart of London Business Alliance said: “BST Hyde Park is a cornerstone event in London's global cultural calendar, attracting world-class talent and significant international and domestic audiences.
“The event delivers substantial economic benefits to the West End and wider London economy, driving footfall and spend across hospitality, retail, and leisure sectors.
“The projected increase in visitor numbers presents a valuable opportunity to further support local businesses and reinforce the West End's position as a leading global destination.”
Westminster council will hear the application on Thursday.
