Wisbech police oppose 24hr off-licence bid

Police are leading opposition against an off-licence owner's application to open for 24 hours a day.

Kanapathipillai Thivakaran wants his Haran's Best Price convenience store in Norfolk Street, Wisbech, to stay open around the clock.

But Insp Andy Sullivan, the town's sector commander, says the move would fuel anti social behaviour and violent crime.

Insp Sullivan's objections will be heard by councillors at a specially convened meeting of Fenland's licensing committee next Tuesday.

He said the town centre was a 'hot spot' for incidents and crimes, many of them alcohol related.

In figures produced for the meeting, he adds the Medworth ward- which contains Norfolk Street- has one of the highest levels of drink related violence in Fenland.

'To allow these premises to open 24 hours a day to sell alcohol will only fuel the anti social behaviour and violence crime within the town centre,' Insp Sullivan said.

'Off sale of alcohol is not regulated by the proprietor as he can maintain no control of the person buying the alcohol and walking across the road to consume this alcohol.

'The affect of allowing increased times for alcohol sales near to the largest public house in Wisbech could reflect badly on that public house and could encourage 'pre-loading' of alcohol.'

Insp Sullivan said that allowing 24 hours a day sales will add to an area 'already saturated with off licences'.

he adds it would cause 'increased public drinking, public urination and both crime and anti social behaviour'.

Mr Thivakaran declined to comment today.