POLICE have objected to a takeaway's bid to serve food until 5am seven days a week amid fears it may attract gangs.

The owners of Kebabish in Palmerston Road, Walthamstow, have applied for a licence to extended its hours - which includes staying open until 6am on weekends but not serving anything after 5am.

But a council report said its licensing team had previously received unsubstantiated complaints that the takeaway was already illegally staying open until 5am.  

Kebabish applied for the new licence after the council sent it a warning about staying open too late.

PC John Ruby, Waltham Forest Police's Licensing Officer, said the business was in a residential area with no other premises open into the early hours.

He wrote in an objection letter to the council: "The fear is therefore that having one late night freshment takeaway shop in this area open until 5am would become a focus for criminal activity potentially involving gangs and anti-social behaviour".

Kebabish says it will install a new CCTV and alarm systems, as well as give refresher safety training to staff.

A licensing panel of councillors will meet to vote on the application at 10am on Tuesday November 20 at Waltham Forest Town Hall.

No residents have objected to the plans.