Police say York takeaway ‘highly likely to support criminality’

A takeaway wants to sell and deliver alcohol into the early hours of the morning on Fridays and Saturdays – but police have raised the strongest possible objections.

Cecil’s Pizza and Grill, on Kimberlow Rise near the University of York, has applied for a licence to sell alcohol – both to drink in, take away and be home delivered – until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm on every other day of the week.

But a councillor has called for the application to be refused, saying it would lead to anti-social behaviour.

And North Yorkshire Police licensing manager Jackie Booth has written to the council to say: “I do believe that granting this licence would be detrimental for the residents and visitors of York.

“North Yorkshire Police do not support this application for a premises licence … as the applicant and proposed designated premises supervisor Mr Deniz Durdu, it is believed [it] would undermine the crime prevention objective.”

Det Insp Michelle Falkingham also has significant objections. In her statement she writes:

• Based on information and intelligence held by North Yorkshire Police a clear assumption can be drawn that this business venture is highly likely to support criminality which could have a detrimental effect on North Yorkshire Police communities.
  

Noise and litter fears

Hull Road councillor George Norman has written to City of York Council’s licensing team ahead of a meeting next Thursday. He said:

• I have serious concerns about this application and its potential impact on noise, public nuisance, illegal littering, and the potential impact on nearby student accommodation, including accommodation primarily occupied by student parents with young children.

  I have been contacted by concerned residents about this, both students and more long term residents in Badger Hill, and make this representation with those in mind.
  

He said the takeaway has not put forward any security measures and added that littering is already a “serious problem” in the Field Lane area.

But the application says alcohol could only be purchased if the customer is also ordering food.

It adds that there are notices asking people to leave quietly.

And it says: “A full colour CCTV system is installed which covers the inside and outside of the premises.

“The outside dining area will not be used after 11pm.”

And they have included a map to illustrate the distance between the takeaway and the nearest student blocks and housing.