A Hornchurch takeaway's bid to extend its opening hours has been refused by Havering Council.

McKlunky's in High Street had its application to remain open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays turned down by the council.

It follows a meeting of the authority's licensing sub-committee on July 26, which heard from police and council representatives as well as restaurant owner Asif Khan.

The takeaway, which serves kebabs and peri peri chicken, had faced opposition from police to its application.

In its objection, the force cited an attack in High Street in February 2023 where an argument which allegedly started in McKlunky's ended with someone being "slashed across the neck" outside.

But at the committee meeting, Mr Khan disputed that the attack occurred outside his premises.

"It happened away from my premises, but me getting involved in a knife fight was just a heroic act," Mr Khan said.

"I put my life in danger and potentially saved a young man's life by giving him first aid," he added.

Mr Khan added that he has heard no complaints from residents about noise and said McKlunky's was a "household name".

But his restaurant, which currently operates until 1am on Fridays and Sundays, had its bid refused, the council citing concerns over crime and disorder.

"[Extending the hours would] encourage alcohol fuelled people to congregate in the area," the council explained.

"This could lead to more crime and disorder and the extended hours would cause a public nuisance in the area."

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The council said High Street was identified as "the main hotspot [in Hornchurch] for violence with injury offences".

"The extended hours would cause a public nuisance in the area, particularly to the residents in the vicinity of the premises," the council added.

Late night revellers in Hornchurch were also identified as a possible problem.

"Drunk people having loud conversations outside the premises [could be disruptive]."

The council admitted that the police had been its main source of advice and guidance in regard to the night time economy, including deliberations on McKlunky's' application.

PC Chris Stockman had said in a letter on behalf of the Met Police that the force felt the extended opening hours would lead to "large intoxicated crowds".

He said: "Having a venue operating until 0200 hours will attract customers after other licensed premises have closed and will lead to large intoxicated crowds to gather and loiter in a small area which will likely lead to disturbances and crime and disorder."

McKlunky's will retain its opening hours until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and has the right to appeal within 21 days of the decision.