Staff at a Wakefield Italian restaurant accused of obstructing police officers trying to investigate an alleged assault

Officers said they tried to enter the restaurant on Saturday, February 5 this year, after being told of an alleged attack on the premises.

They claimed that when they went in “numerous members of staff” obstructed them before revealing the suspect they were looking for had left through a side door.

follow-up visit from the authorities.

Belluccis has said it strongly disputes the police’s version of events.

A licensing hearing next month will decide what action, if any, is taken against the restaurant.

Detailing the incident in papers published on Wakefield Council’s website, police licensing officer Toby Warden said: “On February 5, 2022, police were called to the premises after a report of an assault.

“After speaking with the victim of the assault, officers attempted to enter the premises with a view to search for the suspect who was still believed to be present at the venue.

“The officers entered the restaurant where they were obstructed by numerous members of staff employed at the premises. They were then told that the suspect was no longer on the premises and had left through a side door.”

PC Warden said that Belluccis then “continued to hinder” police officers from viewing CCTV footage.

When it was finally shown, officers saw “what they believed to be staff assisting the suspect to leave the premises.”

PC Warden said the “operators wilfully obstructed the police from conducting their enquiries, by assisting the suspect of the assault to leave the venue.”