A sandwich shop in Winchester has applied to extend its open hours despite police concerns that it could lead to crime and disorder.

The Subway in The Broadway wants to extend its operation to include 2am to 4am from Thursday to Saturday.

Because it wants to provide service for the surrounding pubs and club leavers, Mr Rehan Rehman, the owner, submitted an application to Winchester City Council.

However, Hampshire Constabulary has raised concerns about the potential increase in crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour incidents at the site and among the staff.

Police added that even though the shop would not be selling alcohol, it would have “drunk persons” entering, therefore, the “bravado and aggression” would be “heightened”.

Despite the concerns, the police have offered some mitigating suggestions such as installing CCTV, employing a security person at the front door, and mandating the use of body-worn video (BMW) by the security officer.

Yet, Mr Rehman said that because it is a small organisation with limited resources, it cannot employ a guard.

Instead, he suggested that the shop could provide a security radio linked to the security guards in the area, specifically the ones in Alfie’s pub, a neighbouring business.

In light of Mr Rehman’s comments, Alfie’s general manager, Mr Craig Friswell, has objected to the application.

He said that the pub’s employed door supervisors are there to handle and help prevent any issues at its venue, and in case of any major incident, its team cannot be responsible for or used as a “rapid” first response.

Mr Friswell said: “In the event of a major incident where no police presence was in the immediate vicinity, we would, if possible, try to aid any neighbours with any issues as we have done in the past, but my team cannot be responsible for or used as a ‘rapid’ first response to issues that might occur at any late night refreshment venue on a regular basis.

“In fact, the provision of door supervisors at a venue stops the smaller incidents from becoming larger ones.”

He also highlighted that the pub is only open until 3am, and security is dispersing people from the area.

However, he said that without security at Subway, pub customers will gather in the area, creating noise and public safety issues with “no supervision” and “no one to report or de-escalate the situation”.

Winchester City Council will make a final decision on October 10.