Pub extended hours request objected to by police

Thames Valley Police has said that if a pub extended its opening hours, it "would only be to extend incident times".

McCafferty's at The White Hart on Sheep Street in Bicester, Oxfordshire, applied for permission to serve alcohol until 04:00hrs BST on Fridays and Saturdays, with 30 minutes drinking up time. It currently closes at 03:00hrs on both of these days.

The force said the premises had been associated with 13 incidents reported to the police in the last 12 months.

Cherwell District Council's licensing committee will make a decision on the application on 15 April.

The pub, which also offers live music on weekends, said in its application that if the extension got approved, there would be signs at the entrances to notify customers of the last entry time.

"A CCTV system shall be installed at the premises and maintained in good working order and used at all times when the premises are open for licensable activities," it added.

"A member of staff or security staff will regularly monitor the garden area from 11pm until the end of licensable activities to manage customer and prevent any public nuisance."

But TVP said the White Hart was "where most of the incidents occur in the town and normally around closing time".

"The White Hart like any other premise in the town suffers from incidents throughout the year, these are connected both within and immediately outside," said TVP licensing officer Ian Wares.

He said the pub "has been associated with 13 incidents that have been reported to the police in the last 12 months".

Examples of disorder, assault and sexual assault were listed in the objection to the council.

Mr Smith said a later closing "would have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the police response and public safety".

"Thames Valley Police are objecting to this application as they believe that there is a high risk that there will an increase in crime and [anti-social behaviour] in the area," he added.

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