Pub with '˜criminal behaviour centred on it' has licence revoked

A Boston pub has had its alcohol licence revoked by Boston Borough Council after police raised concerns over its management and '˜criminal behaviour' being centred on it - including drug dealing and use.

Councillors on the licensing committee yesterday (Tuesday) considered the police’s case over the Jolly Crispin, on West Street, and agreed with the force that the premises had been undermining the licensing objectives, with ‘regular drug dealing and drug use being associated with the venue’.

Officers told the committee that following a warrant executed at the premises a substantial amount of contraband tobacco was seized.

Police also found that the premises were operating in breach of their licence conditions ‘on a daily basis’.

Sergeant Kim Enderby from the Alcohol Licensing Team said: “Over the past two years we had been receiving intelligence linking the pub to the use and sale of drugs.

“Initially we attempted to work with the owners to resolve these problems. However testing of the premises with a drugs itemiser indicated that these issues remained.

“Local officers ran an Operation targeted directly at the drug dealing.

“This proved effective in the disruption of the criminal activity, with two males currently on bail and a quantity of illegal drugs seized.