A police officer climbed over a shop counter to detain a shop worker who ignored requests to stop hiding bags full of illicit tobacco, licensing papers state.

A  hearing is set to consider an application tomorrow, Friday, April 19, for Beytoushi Market on Bury New Road in Prestwich to sell alcohol until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, the council has received a representation from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) objecting to the application in order to "prevent crime and disorder".

PC Peter Eccleston said in a written submission to the licensing panel that on March 5, he along with trading standards and a council licensing officer visited the premises after a complaints claiming the shop was selling illicit cigarettes.

PC Eccleston, said: “On entering the premises, a lone male was stood behind the serving counter at the other end of the shop floor.

"As we approached, the male went out of sight and he could be heard moving carrier bags from behind the counter and through the door into the rear storeroom area.

“I repeatedly asked the male to stop moving the bags and to return to the counter.

"These requests were ignored so I had to climb over the counter to gain access to the rear store rooms where I was able to detain the male and prevent any further concealment of evidence.”

The report said the bags were recovered and were found to contain 6,320 cigarettes (319 packets) and 1.75 Kg (35 packets) of hand rolling tobacco, which were seized.

The report added: “Further concerns were raised when he was asked questions in relation to the four licensing objectives, and he could not tell us what they were.

“He was also asked how old a customer must be to legally buy alcohol in the UK and again he could not answer.

"He gave an explanation that his understanding of the English language was not the best and didn’t understand what we were asking him.

“Again, he was asked how he would handle a situation, if two children in school uniform were to enter the premises and try to buy alcohol. He stated that he would put it through a translator.

“After I reworded the question around underage sales, he understood what was being asked of him and stated that you must be 18.”

PC Eccleston said in summary that the worker did not comply with a request by a police officer in full uniform, to leave the carrier bags in situ behind the counter and did the complete opposite, by trying to conceal them in the rear storeroom.

He also refused to sign trading standards record of the visit which details the powers and entitlements to enter the premises.

A panel of councillors will decide on the licence application after hearing representations from all parties concerned.