Police Object to Store’s Alcohol Sales Application

Humberside Police has formally objected to a retail establishment’s proposal to sell alcohol, citing concerns that such sales could lead to an increase in shoplifting incidents. Heron Foods seeks to introduce alcohol sales at its outlet situated on Second Avenue, within Grimsby’s Nunsthorpe district. However, Humberside Police has voiced its opposition, asserting that a continuous security presence would be required at the premises. North East Lincolnshire Council is scheduled to render a decision on the store chain’s application for an alcohol licence on Monday. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Heron Foods operates three branches across Grimsby and Cleethorpes. The company has applied for a licence to sell alcohol at its Nunsthorpe location between 07:00 and 21:00 from Monday to Saturday, and from 07:00 to 20:00 on Sundays. In its official submission to the council, Humberside Police stated that the store is a known target for shoplifters, and local police have expressed apprehension that this activity would escalate if alcohol sales were permitted. A recent investigation into shoplifting, conducted by the Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee, determined that national levels of the crime were at “unacceptable” levels and that the urgency of the problem required police forces to take “immediate action”. The Home Office has indicated its plan to designate assaults on shop workers as a criminal offence and to deploy thousands of police officers specifically tasked with combating shoplifting. In a written submission presented to councillors, the store chain stated: “Heron Foods are fully agreeable to a condition requiring them to risk assess the need for door supervisors, but do not, based on their experience at this store, feel that it is proportionate to have a specific door supervisor condition in respect of this particular store.”