DORSET Police has warned a new café to hide away its external seating at night as it might make "nice trophies" for revellers.

Beermount Ltd has been granted permission to open Esquires Coffee Shop in the former Boots unit at the entrance to the Burlington Arcade at 72 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

A submission from John Green, Dorset Police's crime prevention and design advisor, states: "To prevent anti-social behaviour or crime in the night time economy it might be pertinent to move these items inside the premises when closed.

"As well as nice trophies, they may also be useful to smash glass doors and windows."

In a report, Bournemouth council planning officers state that the change of use from retail to coffee shop is acceptable due to "the benefits of bringing back an empty unit into use in this part of Old Christchurch Road and the opening up of the active frontage onto Burlington Arcade".

The unit has reportedly been marketed for retail use since February last year without interest.