BOOKMAKER'S chain Paddy Power is renewing its bid to be allowed to keep its shop in Church Street open until midnight.
The application to extend the opening times by two hours every day of the week is due to be considered by the council's licensing sub-committee today (Friday).
It was scheduled to be looked at last month but was withdrawn by the company at the last minute.
A report to the committee from police licensing officer Sergeant Geoff Cooper reiterates concerns made in January about the proposal.
He warns it is "reasonable to expect an increase in crime and disorder when operating hours for this type of premises are increased".
Specifically, Sgt Cooper says he is worried that crime will increase at the Church Street shop because it is close to Croydon's main pubs and nightclubs.
He adds: "The likely customers who may be attracted to this shop could well be under the influence of alcohol and therefore more likely to cause a disturbance or be involved in crime and disorder as suspects or victims."
His report goes on to say: "I am aware that other betting operators are actively monitoring the progress of applications such as this.
"I believe that it is fair to say that, in view of the fact that this is chronologically only the second application in the Croydon borough to vary a premises licence outside the default hours in the Gambling Act 2005, other operators may well follow.
"I believe that all the betting operators will actively consider and shortly submit variations to their premises licences to increase the operating hours to, as they see it, maintain competitiveness in this sector."