A TAKEAWAY restaurant has had an application to extend its opening hours refused due to concerns about crime.

Pizza Chicken Kebab Hot 2 U, based on Bedford Place, Southampton, wanted to open for an hour longer and close at 3.30am, rather than the current time of 2.30am.

The restaurant argued that it had proved it was a responsible retailer and pointed out that other restaurants in the area open until 4am.

But the subcommittee argued that the application should be refused due to problems with crime in the area.

Farid Mozooni, speaking on behalf of applicant Asif Ghezal, said: "I don't think it's going to make any difference to the area and if this shop is closed people are going to go to other shops.

"He has done all the safety measurements to make sure he can reduce any issue in the community and with safety.

"We have done everything to keep the crime down and make sure it's safe."

But Southampton City Council's licensing subcommittee rejected this argument and said that the restaurant had problems proving that its CCTV system was up to the required standard.

Southampton City Councillor Matt Tucker said: "The subcommittee was not satisfied that the application would not lead to an increase in issues of crime and disorder, and as a result the application has been refused.

"The committee was not persuaded by the application or reassured by the applicant during the course of the hearing."