A Council hearing to investigate removing the alcohol licence from a shop allegedly at the centre of child drinking and disorder has been adjourned at the last minute.

Richmond Police have called on the Council to remove the alcohol licence from Twickenham Local, Heath Road, following a raft of evidence from residents of drink and vapes being sold illegally to children as young as 12.

A hearing of the application was due to take place on Wednesday morning by the Council's Licensing Sub-committee. However, the shop owner, Manmit Singh Golati, asked for a postponement after arguing his solicitor was unable to present his case.

Shop owner Manmit Singh Golati – Credit: Richmond Borough Council webcast.

The police did not object to the application and revealed that they have retrieved CCTV film footage, which they intend to assess with a view to submitting further evidence to justify the removal of the alcohol sales licence.

A police report submitted to the Council said there have been numerous reports from local residents of youngsters buying drink and vapes from the shop without any age checks.

Alongside alcohol it is known that a number of shops in the borough have been selling so-called 'cannabis vapes' or 'spice vapes' to children, which are illegal and contain psychoactive chemicals.

A list of incidents reported to police includes -

* Officers attended West Middlesex Hospital in regards to a 12 year old female being bought in whilst being heavily intoxicated.

* Resident stated: "I am a resident of Hampton and would like to report a shop in Twickenham which has been repeatedly selling both alcohol and vapes to underage children."

* Two females wearing school uniform were seen in the shop about to buy a vape at the counter.

* Shop selling alcohol to underage persons - served an underage teenager a bottle of scotch.

* Resident reported to police: "I was going past Twickenham local on Heath Road, Twickenham, I noticed two school girls at the counter about to purchase a vape."

* Resident reported: "Twickenham Local store/off license selling alcohol to underage children 12, 13 years old upward."

* Informant has reported that the shop Twickenham Local … has been selling alcohol to minors, the informant witnessed the shop selling alcohol to underage girls.

* Twickenham Local is STILL selling alcohol (vodka) and vapes to underage children.

* Resident reported: "Another Friday night with a 14 year old returning home drunk."

The police report concludes: "Since the opening of this venue there has been an increase in Anti-Social Behaviour surrounding the venue and Twickenham Green, a five minute walk away used by local families and Twickenham Cricket Club.

"This has produced gatherings sometimes of up to 60 children, some with alcohol. This has raised concerns of safety for residents walking through the park during the hours of darkness.

"Twickenham Green is also surround by two busy roads in and out of Twickenham and police have grave concerns that an intoxicated child may fall or walk into this road resulting in an accident. If this is not stopped this will continue with the warmer weather approaching and longer evenings putting even more children at risk."

The Council's Licensing Sub-Committee is due to consider the application next week – June 21.