Villagers have said they fear crime will increase if their post office is granted an alcohol licence by Buckinghamshire Council.

Kultar Singh Jani has asked for permission to sell booze every day from 7am to 10pm at his business on Bells Hill Green.

Five complaints about proposed alcohol sales at the post office were presented to a meeting of the council’s licensing sub-committee on Tuesday.

Local councillor Maggie Knox-Scott claimed the Co-op store next to the post office would ‘struggle with competition on their doorstep’, while also raising concerns about crime.

She said: “Considering the number of crimes of theft of alcohol and cigarettes from this area, this shop will be a perfect, easy target for crime, vandalism, disorderly behaviour and unacceptable noise levels.”

Another objector, Michelle Webster, added: “We don’t want a shop open selling alcohol from 7am-10pm in this small village.

“The post office is the centre of the community, and this application will put the safety of the village and it’s residents at risk.”

Despite a handful of objections from residents, none of the relevant authorities, such as Thames Valley Police, raised any issues with the proposed licence.

The applicant’s legal representative Surendra Panchal told the committee meeting that post office staff would undergo ‘full training’ on licensing objectives and to ensure illegal workers are not employed.

He added: “There will be a litter contract with the council. There will also be a bin outside the premises.”

The committee will announce its decision in due course.