A trio of Hinckley shops have been banned from selling alcohol following a surprise visit from officers.
A team from the Hinckley and Blaby Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) attended back in September 2021 as part of planned warrants under the forces’ Operation Impose – targeting criminality in the area and across county lines.
As a result of the enforcement, four people were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They were released under investigation and the enquiry is continuing.
Following the arrests, the force recommended to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council that the licenses of the premises be reviewed. This was because it was suspected the stores had failed to adhere to their licensing condition of prevention of crime and disorder.
At the review hearing – which was held back in November 2021 by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council – the force presented their findings, and it was determined that one premise was to have its alcohol license revoked, and one premise was to have their alcohol license suspended for three months. The third surrendered its license prior to the hearing.
Rugby Road Wine Cellars, Rugby Road, Hinckley:
A decision was made by the committee to revoke the premises alcohol license in its entirety.
ST Stores, Rugby Road, Hinckley:
A decision was made to suspend the premises alcohol license until 4 April 2022, when it will be reviewed again.
Derby Road Post Office, Derby Road, Hinckley:
The premise license holder surrendered his alcohol premise license prior to the license hearing.
Derby Road post office and Rugby Road wine cellar will have to reapply for a new license if they wish to sell alcohol again.
PC Sarah Francis-Lang from the Hinckley and Blaby Neighbourhood Policing area said: “This decision was taken by the council, following a recommendation from us following the enforcement action.
“No appeals were made following the review in November and the decisions made by the committee are in force at the stores.
“We will take all reports of criminality seriously. Having an alcohol license is a privilege and something that is always under constant review.”
A woman, 44 and two men aged 56 and 53 were arrested on suspicion of handing stolen goods, along with a 16-year-old girl. They are all released under investigation.