POLICE in Dorset arrested 6,550 people during the first eight months of this year with almost one in four of detainees under the influence of alcohol, new figures have revealed.

The statistics, contained in a report to be considered by Bournemouth council’s licensing board on Tuesday, form part of the force’s objections to an application for a licensed convenience store on Old Christchurch Road.

In his report, Sgt Adrian Thompson from the Poole-based licensing team, said: “Bournemouth town centre has, by far, the largest concentration of licensed premises together with the greatest volume of associated violent crime and disorder in the Poole and Bournemouth conurbation.

“Dorset police are objecting to this notice on the grounds that it would undermine the crime prevention, antisocial behaviour and protection of children objectives.”

He added: “The premises is situated within the Bournemouth town centre cumulative impact area which is an area that experiences high levels of alcohol related crime and disorder.”

Mr Gokhan Cayir, who already runs a business in Old Christchurch Road, has applied to transform a nearby vacant site into a licensed convenience store to cater for the needs of the local community.

He sought permission to sell alcohol from 6am until 1am from Monday to Sunday with 24-hour opening.

Mr Cayir later agreed to a number of conditions including installing CCTV cameras, providing “responsible retailing” training for staff and banning the sale of single cans.

After hearing representations on behalf of the applicant and objectors, licensing board members will decide whether to grant the application, refuse it or insist on extra conditions.