Broad Street kebab shop loses licence bid over camera confusion
A Black Country kebab shop owner has been denied a licence for the premises after he failed to show he knew how to operate CCTV properly.
Mohammed Ahmadei of Caspian Kebab and Pizza in Wolverhampton was unable to convince council officials of his ability to fully operate the business with due care and understanding at his licence hearing.
A multi-agency visit in November found Mr Ahmadei was unable to work the CCTV and it was apparent that the equipment was only recording for two to three days rather than the required 30.
Following his interview with police, Mr Ahmadei later removed all the CCTV equipment in the outlet and presented it to officers at Bilston Police Station, asking them to take whatever footage they could find.
WPc Lisa Davies told the hearing: "It is vital that we are able to rely on the CCTV cameras in operation around the Broad Street area, for identification of offenders and potential victims. It is the only area we cordon off in the city over the weekend and it is a hot spot for night life."
The licence hearing was told Mr Ahmadei wanted the licence transferred into his name from that of Behnam Zarandi, who had held the licence since 2009.
Chairman of the licensing committee Councillor Alan Bolshaw said in light of objections from police they were not able to issue the transfer of the licence.
Through his daughter, acting as an interpreter, Mr Ahmadei said he had been in contact with an engineer in order to learn how to operate the CCTV.
Mr Ahmadei has 21 days to appeal over the decision.
