POLICE are so concerned about violence in the city centre that they opposed an off-licence's bid to extend its hours.

Hooch and Candy, in Bedford Place, in the Polygon, wanted to open until 2am instead of shutting at midnight.

But said doing so could arm troublemakers with a 'potential weapon’ - a bottle - and ‘jeopardise public safety'.

Licensing officer PC Lee Scott's opposition to the bid has seen the off-licence withdraw its application.

Such is the concern about violence in the Polygon that drinkers at pub gardens are given plastic cups rather than glasses.

In a submission, PC Scott said: “It is the view of the chief of police that allowing the extension of the sale of alcohol from the premises would contribute further to the levels of crime and disorder in the local environment and jeopardise public safety and cause further public nuisance.

“The premises sits firmly within one of the city centre cumulative impact zones identified by Southampton City Council’s statement of licensing policy 2021-2026.

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"As such this premises sits in an area already identified as one suffering from increased crime and disorder owing to the number of licensed premises in concentration within a small geographical area.

“The nearby on-premises drinking establishments do not allow patrons to leave their premises with drinks and the outside drinking areas are time-limited to before the closing time of this premises as it is currently.

“The nearby outdoor seated drinking areas are also designated as glass free and Southampton is covered by a public spaces protection order prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in general public places.

“The extension of the licence at this premises will undermine all of the above and increase the risk of crime and disorder in an area where it is already high.”

He said no condition on the licence could make it work.

Resident Rita Lupton also opposed the application.

She said the area is ‘saturated’ with alcohol vendors.

Listing her complaints, she said: “Street drinking, loud music from parked cars while groups of people drink and hang out, arguing, screaming and fights, gardens being used as toilets and litter bins, broken glass and vomit over the pavements, damage to parked cars and residents’ fences.”

Ms Lupton also said that ‘many of the nearby residents are elderly and some are also vulnerable.’

Ian McGuiness from the licensing authority said: "High intoxication levels are regularly reported and witnessed by council officers in this area at night.”

A member of staff at the off-licence said: “We don’t see much trouble here on the street, but we will listen to the police. We’re happy with what we currently have.”