Hartlepool takeaway licence review cancelled - business claims it did 'nothing wrong' after police say they found illegal workers

Siciliano’s in York Road was searched by Cleveland Police and immigration officers in November last year after a warrant was issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, according to documents.

Police said they found two men working behind the counter who did not have permission to work in the UK, leading to Sicilliano’s being issued with an Illegal Working Civil Penalty Referral Notice in respect of the two workers.

The takeaway’s licence was planned to be reviewed by Hartlepool Borough Council Licensing Sub-Committee at a meeting on Tuesday September 8 following the request from Cleveland Police.

However, Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs have confirmed the meeting reviewing the licence will no longer be taking place due to legal matters.

They added it may be rescheduled at a later date.

A statement from Siciliano’s maintained they have done ‘nothing wrong’ and will now continue to operate as usual under their current licence.

They said: “We are very disappointed that there has been an application for the review of our licence, when we have done nothing wrong.

“We hope that the police and the council will work with us in the future and engage in a positive discussion with us.”

Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs issued a notice detailing why the meeting has been cancelled.

It said: “To ensure compliance with the statutory provisions contained in the Licensing Act 2003, and following discussions with the parties concerned, the meeting is not taking place.”

The application for the review, submitted under the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective, had previously been lodged by Andrew Thorpe, Cleveland Police licensing officer.

It stated on 23rd November 2019 at 5.09pm the police and immigration officers attended Siciliano’s pizza shop under a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 warrant which named immigration officers as being allowed to enter.

In the application, PC Thorpe said: “On entering the premises a male identified himself as the manager of the premise.

“Whilst no drugs were found on the premises or on the people in the premise, immigration officers identified two males working behind the counter at the property who did not have permission to work in the United Kingdom.

“The two males were interviewed by the immigration officers on site regarding their employment status.

“Not only is it an offence to employ someone who cannot legally work in the UK, it also encourages illegal migration into the UK, which risks people’s lives by putting them in the hands of people smugglers and leaves them vulnerable to exploitative employers.”

Adam Read is named as the current premises licence holder and was granted a licence on November 2, 2018.

The premises licence allows the takeaway to offer food from 11pm to 2.30am Monday to Wednesday, 11pm to 3am Thursday to Saturday and 11am to 1pm on Sundays.

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