A Beeston shop owner has been removed as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) after the police initiated a licence review because “these premises are associated with serious crime or serious disorder or both.”
Hiren Ashvin Patel was removed as DPS at both AP’s Local Newsagents at 434 Dewsbury Road in Beeston and Waterloo Stores in Pudsey. Mr Patel is currently not allowed to reside in Leeds and there is an ongoing criminal investigation being carried out by West Yorkshire Police.
The action was taken by the council’s Licensing Sub-committee at a meeting on 30 April 2025. The press and public were excluded from most of the meeting , but the minutes have now been published.
In answer to questions from councillors the committee was informed that:
- Currently AP’s Local Newsagents was being minded by a family member.
- Mr Patel was currently only allowed to reside at a specific address outside of Leeds.
- There was no initial suggestion that this was linked to an organised gang – the investigation was ongoing.
- West Yorkshire Police were at this time requesting only the removal of the DPS, but this may change depending on the outcome of further investigation.
You can read the full minutes of the meeting here.
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