PLANS to convert a restaurant into a takeaway serving food until 5am are being opposed by Dorset Police.

Baraada Limited have submitted a bid to Bournemouth's licensing board to convert the restaurant at 144 Old Christchurch Road, by the shared space and Horseshoe Common, into a takeaway named Istanbul, and to extend its late opening by three hours.

However the force says this could contribute to crime and disorder in the Old Christchurch Road area.

In a submission to the board, which will discuss the plans today, PC Steve Lemon, the force's licensing officer, said the site was within the town centre cumulative impact area (CIA) and that new licences should only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

He cites data from July to December 2015, during which the cumulative impact area, which comprises four per cent of the town's geographical area, was host to more than half the town's night time public place assaults, as well as 21.5 per cent of its day time public place assaults.

Further police figures detail 149 alcohol-related incidents reported in Old Christchurch Road in the six month period after September 21 last year, of which all but 34 occurred after midnight.

"The location of these premises is close to the junction of Fir Vale Road and Dean Park Road," he said.

"There are already a number of premises in this area trading as takeaways thus negating any suggestion that this application should in any way be granted as exceptional."

He said: "Dorset Police is of the opinion the licensing objectives would be undermined if this application was granted and another premises was allowed to operate at times evidenced when crime and disorder and public nuisance is at its peak within the night time economy, thus further exacerbating the problems already experienced within the Central Bournemouth CIA and in particular Old Christchurch Road."

The applicant has proposed to install CCTV at the front and rear of the premises, and says staff will receive training to ensure licensing rules are fulfilled.

In March, manager Mohanad Badawi told the Echo his business depended on the late night trade from revellers at clubs and bars in the area.

“We don’t get any trade until the night-time. Our busy time starts at 3.30am,” he said.

“The rent and business rates are so expensive that I’ve told the council if they don’t accept our licence application, we will have to close."

Board members are today also due to consider an application by American burger chain Five Guys to serve alcohol off premises in the BH2 development, which has drawn a similar objection from the police.