POLICE are urging councillors to block a shop's plans to sell alcohol round the clock because drink-fuelled yobs already blight the area.

The Boro 24-hr Shop, in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, has applied to vary its licence to allow the sale of alcohol 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

Licence holder Abdullah Wafa Said applied for a 24-hour drink licence in November, but, following objections from Cleveland Police, Gresham Community Council and a Gresham ward councillor, he agreed to reduce the hours to 8am until 11pm.

But Mr Said has submitted a second request for a 24-hour licence, which is due to be considered by Middlesbrough Council's licensing sub-committee next Monday.

The police have again objected to the plans, citing reports of anti-social behaviour in the area where the shop is situated.

A letter from Cleveland Police's legal representative, Marie Nevison, says: "Cleveland Police believe that the main reason for this anti-social behaviour is due to the large amount of alcohol that young persons are consuming within the area.

"We are concerned that allowing the premises to remain open 24 hours per day will continue to add to the current problems."

A report by PC Fiona Helyer says: "Between June 1 and August 31, last year, Cleveland Police received 442 reports of anti-social behaviour alone. These reports included drinking in the street, noise nuisance and rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour.

"Since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003, in November 2005, there has been a steady rise in the number of reported incidents occurring at licensed premises, which Cleveland Police feel is due to longer opening hours.

"It is for this reason, also, that the application by the Boro 24-hour Shop causes the police concern."

In May, police launched Operation Anvil in a bid to crack down on crime in the Gresham area.

Linda Mole, chairman of Gresham Community Council, said the group would be lodging an official objection to the licence application.

She said: "Gresham has enough problems with anti-social behaviour caused through drink, and people are going to flock to this shop if it is allowed to sell alcohol 24/7.

"It will attract people from out of the area once they get to know about it. The residents feel very strongly about this."