SIR - Recently there was an article in your newspaper highlighting an undercover operation carried out by a tobacco company to show the extent illegal tobacco is being sold in Bradford. It was dismissed as biased towards the tobacco companies by trading standard officers.
I strongly object to their views. If they took their heads out of the ground they will realise that this operation was not biased, but fact.
£2.3 billion was evaded in duty last year. Many legitimate convenience stores within the city centre and surrounding areas are being devastated by this activity. Indeed many have closed because of this and more will close. Two of the most popular lines ie, tobacco/alcohol are being sold illegally.
Many of these shops selling these products have been raided many times but regrettably not a single shop in Bradford has lots its premises licence to sell alcohol as yet.
The licensing department, despite having the powers to take away licences from these shops, are failing to do so. The fines are punitive and are no deterrent.
Legitimate retailers need help from the powers that be. Regrettably they are being badly let down. As a retailer in the city centre since 1990, I live in hope.
Nassim Ahmed, Aberdeen Place, Lidget Green
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