Kettering shop could lose its licence over illegal activity

Officers found smuggled products on a number of occasions
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A Kettering town centre shop could be stripped of its licence after a series of visits from police and customs officers found illegal activity.

On at least four occasions - including three times this year - duty not paid products were either seized from or bought from Alma Express in Montagu Street.

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Police are now calling for Kettering Council to consider revoking its licence over the smuggled goods, which meant the shop avoided paying part of their share of taxes to fund public services.

Alma Express in Kettering.Alma Express in Kettering.
Alma Express in Kettering.

In a review application, police added that an illegal worker was also discovered at the premises but their review did not provide further details.

They revealed that on August 14, 2018, the shop was visited by police, HMRC and county council trading standards officers.

On entering the premises and identifying himself a trading standards officer was prevented from entering the rear storage area of the premises.

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A tobacco detection dog was put into the premises and 0.6kg of hand rolling tobacco was seized as duty not paid tobacco products.

HMRC revisited the off-licence on February 7 this year and seized 783 litres of beer and lager as duty not paid products.

No appeal has been made over the seizure to challenge that the alcohol is legal.

Two further covert test purchases were made by police on March 14 and May 26.

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On each occasion, a packet of duty not paid cigarettes was bought for £5.

In a review application, PC David Bryan from Northamptonshire Police said: "Where crime is involved, wider considerations come into play.

"Those considerations might include the prevention of crime and at least deterrence, if not punishment.

"Where premises have been used for a criminal purpose, the licensing authority has a duty to take steps in the interest of the wider community."

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A licence review hearing will take place next Wednesday (October 28).

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