COUNCILLORS have cracked down hard on a Huddersfield shop – overturning a deal struck between the owners and police.

Kirklees Council yesterday suspended the licence of Jat’s Superstore on Nabcroft Rise, Crosland Moor, after untaxed cigarettes, beer and wine were found.

The move came despite a deal between the store’s owners and police, which would have allowed the shop to continue selling alcohol.

Police and customs officers discovered untaxed goods at the 24-hour shop on December 12.

Officers also seized alcohol from the home of licence-holder Shamim Akhtar – after seeing two men removing cases of beer from the back of her house.

Pc Richard Farrand told the council’s Licensing Panel yesterday how he discovered 180 untaxed Ju Ling cigarettes in a handbag belonging to Mrs Akhtar.

Officers also found another 2,200 untaxed cigarettes in a Toyota Hiace, which was parked outside the shop.

Officers also seized 72 bottles of Italian wine and 24 litres of beer, on which no duty had been paid.

Pc Farrand and his colleagues then went with Mrs Akhtar to her home at Springdale Avenue in Thornton Lodge.

He described how the licence-holder delayed officers from entering the house by saying she didn’t have a key.

Officers went to the back of the house where they disturbed two men removing cases of beer out of the back kitchen window.

Police found 25 cases of untaxed beer, including Carling, Stella and Fosters, at Mrs Akhtar’s home. They also seized 55 bottles of wine, on which no duty had been paid.

Overall, officers recovered goods worth £811 in tax during the visits to Mrs Akhtar’s home and shop.