Nitrous oxide canisters and fake dolls seized

Dozens of nitrous oxide canisters were among items seized from a shop by police and trading standards officers.

Fake Labubu dolls and an extendable police-style baton were also found at Shizys on Picton Road in Wavertree, Liverpool, the city council's licensing and gambling committee heard.

The shop has been stripped of its premises licence by the committee amid what it heard were serious health and safety concerns.

Committee chairwoman Christine Banks said she was "appalled" at the management of the shop and feared it could have been deadly if the concealed nitrous oxide devices had not been found.

Banks said the venue's premises licence would be taken away for the "health and safety of the public".

"We've got no confidence in you as a manager," she told owner Zahid Iqbal.

"I'm utterly appalled. If there had been a serious fire, there would have been an explosion.

"I'm utterly frightened and worried for the public living in that area."

The committee heard that trading standards officers and Merseyside Police visited the premises twice in six months.

Iqbal attempted to deny all knowledge of illegal sales, saying he had no clue what was going on at the store, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

PC Nicola Ireland said police had "serious concerns about ongoing criminal activity" at the shop.

She said 50 nitrous oxide canisters were found in a box at the back of the shop with nozzles and balloons "conveniently" separated into snap bags, seemingly being made ready for sale.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colourless gas that is inhaled and is commonly used as a painkiller in healthcare and dentistry.

Its use soared during the pandemic, becoming one of the most-abused substances, especially by those aged between 16 and 24.

Since it was categorised as a Class C drug in 2023, it is a crime to possess it or sell it for recreational purposes.

PC Ireland said that, during the two visits, Iqbal's brother was in charge of the shop, and he claimed he did not know the items could not be sold.

During the second visit, a further 18 canisters were found inside the boot of a car outside the shop.

She said the business and Iqbal had shown a "pattern of failure to uphold control" of the shop, and the force's investigation was ongoing.

Trading standards officer Claire Jones said the counterfeit Labubu dolls were in pieces rather than being complete toys – a sign they were fakes.

Iqbal told the committee he did not know the dolls were not allowed to be sold and he was not aware of what was going on in his own shop.

"I take full responsibility I am a responsible licence holder. I will be a responsible licence holder," he said.

But he admitted he had bought the fake dolls from a "man in a van".

He added: "I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I will succeed in making everything to be back to where it should be."

PC Ireland said the police's view was that Iqbal's protests were "too little, too late" and the force had "no confidence" in his management of the shop.

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