A Bradford shop owner has been stripped of his licence to sell alcohol after an undercover trading standards operation.

Idle Village Off-Licence had its licence revoked by Bradford Council’s Licensing Panel tonight.

The panel heard evidence that during a ‘proxy buy’ exercise by West Yorkshire Trading Standards at the shop last November a member of staff sold alcohol to a trading standards officer who made it clear he intended to give it to a child.

The panel also heard evidence from Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Peter Tuff about anti-social behaviour and underage drinking in the immediate vicinity of the shop.

Residents presented a petition to the Licensing Panel stating their opposition to the renewal of a licence to proprietor Balwant Singh citing a marked increase in vandalism, anti-social behaviour and street drinking in the area since the shop opened last June.

In evidence to the panel, ward Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: “I have been a councillor in Idle for 14 years or so and I have seen nothing on the scale of this. Almost since the shop has been open it has been a topic of almost constant concern.”

Helen Charles, of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said it had received five complaints against the off-licence, which she regarded as a high number.

Announcing the panel’s verdict, chairman Councillor Peter Hill said: “The panel unanimously agrees to revoke the premises licence due to what we consider to be group breaches of the licensing conditions, especially those regarding children and public safety with sales to underage drinkers.”

Giving evidence, Mr Singh said: “There has always been trouble in Idle and there always will be even if I lose my licence here today.

“I have had off-licences before and there has never been any complaint. This seems to be a witch hunt.”