PLANS for a new ‘international grocery store’ in Boscombe have been opposed by Dorset Police.

A request for a licence for the new Europe International shop in Christchurch Road will be considered by Bournemouth council’s licensing sub-committee on Tuesday

Concerns have been raised that the addition of another shop selling alcohol would “undermine” efforts to reduce crime and disorder in the area.

The application, submitted by Haval Raza Ali, seeks permission for the store to sell alcohol from 8am to midnight daily.

However, Dorset Police has objected to the request saying that it fails to demonstrate that there would be no negative cumulative impact on anti-social behaviour in the area.

The shop, at 689 Christchurch Road, falls within the Boscombe cumulative impact area which was established to tackle crime.

This requires it to prove to Bournemouth council that it will not exacerbate issues or the proposal will be refused.

Last year, the council’s licensing sub-committee refused to grant a licence for a European grocery store in Christchurch Road citing the number of similar existing shops.

Responding to the latest application, police licensing officer, Louise Busfield, requests that the council reject the request.

“The concentration of licensed premises within this area causes problems of anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder,” she says.

“Dorset Police are of the view that this application has failed to demonstrate that there will be no negative cumulative impact and that they have failed to rebut the presumption of refusal, or provided any exceptional circumstances, to depart from the special policy.”

No other objections have been submitted in response to the application although the council’s pollution control department have requested that the shop take no deliveries after 7pm due to the residential flats above it.

The licence request will be considered by Bournemouth council’s licensing sub-committee at its meeting on Tuesday (February 26).