THE shortage of police officers and the growing disorder problems have led police in Bexley to adopt a policy of blanket opposition to any extension of licences to stay open after midnight.

Last week, the police successfully opposed the extension of hours for the Charcoal Grill, in Bexleyheath Broadway, at Bexley Council's licensing application panel.

The owner, Sertif Gunenbaken wanted to extend the hours of his night cafe from midnight to 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The police's licensing officer Gordon Hunter opposed the application saying there is a major problem with young people, fuelled with alcohol, hanging around the Broadway in the early hours fighting and causing damage and noise.

He said anything which encouraged drinkers to stay in the Broadway after the pubs shut increased the problems, especially when Bexley is short of police officers to deal with the trouble.

Mr Gunenbaken said his night cafe was next to a bus stop and a minicab office, both of which already encouraged people to congregate outside. He said the extra half-an-hour would give the cafe "breathing space" to deal with the rush of customers after the pubs closed.

The panel also heard written evidence that, during random inspections, the licensing inspector found the cafe still serving customers up until 1am.

After considering the application, the committee turned it down because of the potential nuisance caused to nearby residents and because it could encourage people to hang around in the Broadway.

The anti-extension policy is attracting interest from police forces operating in neighbouring boroughs.

Police in Bromley are now looking at Bexleyheath police's strategy on clamping down on licensed premises.