Call for national action to close Licensing Act loophole exploited by organised crime

Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Trading Standards are urging professionals across the country to support a proposed change to the Licensing Act, aimed at closing a loophole that allows alcohol licences to be transferred during reviews or appeals. This practice is being exploited by organised crime groups, enabling them to bypass enforcement efforts by passing licences to individuals with no formal links to the criminal activity.

The loophole has made it difficult for local authorities to revoke licences, even when illegal tobacco or counterfeit alcohol is found on the premises. As a result, criminal operations continue while the review process becomes slow, expensive, and ineffective.

To address this, the councils are calling for a national legislative change that would prevent licence transfers during regulatory proceedings. This would strengthen the Licensing Act and support the introduction of a Tobacco License under the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill.