(Image: T&A)
A shop in a historic area of a city centre has been stripped of its alcohol license to prevent “crime and disorder.”
On Monday, a Bradford Council Licensing Panel revoked the premises licence for 23 Peckover Street, the Best One store, in Little Germany.
West Yorkshire Police had called for a licence review after a raid this summer “discovered controlled drugs, amounts of cash and offensive weapons” at the shop.
The panel were told that the police had received “intelligence over a prolonged period relating to potential criminality associated with the premises, including concerns regarding controlled drugs, illicit tobacco, and potential risk of harm to children.”
Most of meeting held behind closed doors
The licence holder for the business is Samantha Newsome.
The majority of Monday’s meeting took place in a session where the press and public were excluded, with only the panel’s decision held in the public session.
Police had said that discussing some details with the public and press present would “prejudice ongoing investigations, and impact on future criminal proceedings.”
What did the report say?
A report to the panel had said: “The police seek a review of the premises licence for the Best One 23, Peckover Street on the grounds that the licensing objectives, in particular the crime and the protection of children from harm, have been seriously undermined.
“On July 15, police attended the premises and discovered controlled drugs, amounts of cash and offensive weapons.
“As a result, a criminal investigation was commenced and remains ongoing.
"These circumstances raise serious concerns regarding the management and operation of the premises, together licensing the ability of the Premises Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor, (DPS) to promote objectives.
"The licence holder and DPS has a previous conviction for a drug offence at a previous premises by the same person who owns this premises.
“In addition to this event, police have received intelligence over a prolonged period relating to potential criminality associated with the premises, including concerns regarding controlled drugs, illicit tobacco and potential risk of harm to children.
“Whilst the police recognise that intelligence must be viewed with appropriate caution, when considered alongside the events giving rise to this review, it contributes to a broader picture of concern regarding the operation of the premises.
“Having considered all the available information, Bradford district police submit that confidence in the of the premises has been fundamentally undermined and that a review is necessary to protect the licensing objectives.
“There is an ongoing investigation relating to matters connected to these premises, and some of the information that may assist the panel includes sensitive evidential material that has not been placed in the public domain.
“The police are mindful of the importance of open justice and transparency in licensing proceedings.
"However, there is a legitimate public interest in avoiding the disclosure of information that could prejudice ongoing investigations, and impact on future criminal proceedings.”
When the meeting was opened to the public, the panel announced they would be revoking the licence, with Chair Councillor Paul Golding (Cons, Worth Valley) saying the operation of the premises “undermined the licence objectives.”
These included the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children from harm.”