Late-night take-aways told to curb rowdiness

Licensing minister Richard Caborn has warned kebab shops and burger bars they will be shut down if drunken customers disturb local residents with antisocial behaviour.

As part of the new licensing laws being introduced on 7 February, take-aways in England and Wales selling food after 11pm will require a licence from their council. It is the first time such a scheme has been introduced outside London.

Caborn said this would safeguard local residents' rights and help police clamp down on businesses that are regularly the scene of trouble.

London's Camden council has licensed kebab shops and take-aways for more than 10 years. Its experience has been positive, with objections to night café applications now rare.

A council spokeswoman said: "Restrictions on the opening hours of night cafés in the King's Cross vicinity have assisted the police in dealing with antisocial behaviour in the area."