Police have urged the council to reject a planning application from a shop which wants to sell alcohol for up to 20 hours a day.

Today, the planning committee will rule on whether customers at Metro Express in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, can buy alcohol between 6am until 2am, seven days per week.

Shopowner Mr Hasan Huseyin Sari currently has a license from 6am until midnight during the week and 8am until midnight on Sundays.

Mr Sari has moved to reassure committee members, saying the shop has 24-hour CCTV and has had no problems with anti-social behaviour.

He said: “Since I have taken over I have had a good relationship with all the customers, I have never had to call the police.

“I always ask for ID.”

Later the planning committee will consider a letter from the police which strongly objects to the plan.

Police licensing officer Matt Brown said last year there were 79 crimes within 150 meters of the shop.

He states: “It is the Police Licensing Team’s view that alcohol related crime will be exacerbated by this shop selling alcohol for use off the premises with extended hours until 2am.

“In addition to this there are fewer police on duty at the times requested and any additional calls will result in a further drain on police resources.”

Four people living in the area also objected.

The committee meeting will take place at 2pm today at Waltham Forest Town Hall.