A kebab shop will become a “magnet” from crime if it is allowed to stay open late into the night, according to police.

The new Griller takeway, at 286 Hoe Street in Walthamstow, has applied to stay open until 3am between Thursday and Saturday, and 2am on other days.

But a number of objections have been lodged to the application by Zainab Waqar, of Wadham Road in Walthamstow.

A total of 65 people have signed a petition against the plan due to fears of disruption, while councillors in Hoe Street and Markhouse wards have said the take-away could attract “undesirable clientele”.

Police said there is a problem with criminal activity in the area.

PC Matt Brown said there have been 229 crimes within a 150 metre radius of the shop in the last year.

He claimed that despite meeting with the owner to discuss appropriate hours, his advice was ignored.

“The view of the police is that another take-away venue with a late night licence will be a magnet for additional anti-social behaviour and crime in this area,” he added.

“This will have a detrimental effect on the local residents and be a further strain on limited police resources in the early hours.”

The licensing committee is due to consider the application on Monday.