ANGRY residents are dismayed after Bromley Police removed their objection to the late licence of a Beckenham nightclub.

Langtry's application for the renewal of its late public entertainment licence is due to be presented to councillors at a two-day hearing on November 29 and 30.

But the police, who were to join residents objecting to the licence on the grounds of public disorder, have been advised by their lawyers not to attend the hearing.

Councillor Michael Tickner, who represents the Kelsey Park ward containing the nightclub, in Beckenham High Street, said: “This lets down the local community. “

He added: “The police are more or less saying they can't be bothered to do the work involved in the two-day hearing.”

A date had been set for July this year but the council was forced to delay the hearing because police witnesses were not ready.

Nick Carter, secretary of the Copers Cope Area Residents' Association, which is to provide evidence at the hearing, said: “We are dismayed and angry they have decided to remove their objection.

“It's not a matter of Langtry's management being some kind of evil monster but giving a nightclub appealing to young drinkers permission to stay open until the small hours in the middle of a residential area is a clear recipe for misery for its neighbours.”

The nightclub has a late licence from Monday to Saturday, allowing it to stay open until 2am.

Residents have complained that around 2am at weekends, young clubbers urinate in people's gardens, damage property, fight and shout.

Police have agreed to make available CCTV footage of incidents outside the club to councillors hearing the case.

Chief Superintendent Gerry Howlett said: “Our counsel said they didn't think, given the set of circumstances, we would win.

“I have written a letter to Langtry's asking them to work with us. I am not going to stop the video evidence being available to the councillors hearing the case but I'm not raising a direct objection on this occasion.”