Trading offences alleged at city shop

Police are taking action against a grocery shop in Hereford following “at least two” apparent trading offences.

An application by West Mercia Police licensing officer PC Chris Lea to Herefordshire Council’s licensing department raises concerns about the Europe convenience store, one of several selling central and eastern European produce on the city’s Eign Gate.

“Known shoplifters have been seen entering the store on April 11 with items of property [that] have been subsequently identified as stolen,” his application says.

Police visited the shop five days later and identified the stolen items on display. They also seized medical supplies on sale without the appropriate sales licence.

Premises supervisor Ina Turuliene, a Lithuanian national, was later interviewed under police caution for handling of stolen goods, and has been reported for summons to court at a date yet to be set.

The police are now asking the council for the shop’s licence to sell alcohol to be withdrawn.

Ms Turuliene had previously been before the licensing committee in June 2020 over the sale of illegal tobacco, leading to its premises licence being suspended for three months, PC Lea’s submission added.

“This premises have undermined a licensing objective on at least two occasions in less than two years, therefore we feel revocation of their premises licence is the only option,” he said.