I used to be a bit of a delinquent

l A man with convictions for robbery and false imprisonment had been given permission to run an off-licence despite objections from the police;

l A convicted drug dealer now has a licence to operate a private hire taxi;

l A man facing counterfeit currency and firearm charges has been handed an off licence permit, again despite objections by the police.

Blackburn with Darwen Council, like all councils in the country, took over control of all licensing issues from magistrates earlier this year.

That meant everyone who sold alcohol in the borough had to apply for a new licence -- with all existing licence holders guaranteed a new one unless police objected.

The Government's rules to councils state that a police objection should lead to a refusal of a licence unless there are 'exceptional and compelling' circumstances.

Police objected to Taehar Ahmed, 34, of Langham Road, Blackburn being issued with a licence for an off-licence after criminal record checks revealed he had convictions for robbery and false imprisonment. He served more than 30 months for the crimes -- for which he was sentenced in 1992 -- meaning the crimes can never be wiped from his record.

Police described the convictions as 'relevant' and said he should never have been issued with a licence by magistrates in 2002.

He was also given two conditional discharges by magistrates in Trafford earlier this year for criminal damage and public order offences.

However, licensing councillors approved his request.

But Mr Ahmed, who runs Welcome Store in Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, today said: "I was a bit of a delinquent as everybody is when they are young. When you're young you do go a bit astray."

Another licence to run an off-licence was also granted in the face of police objections to a man facing counterfeit currency and possession of a firearm charges.

He is due to appear at crown court in the new year. A council spokesman said his licence would be revoked if he was convicted. Police objected to that application too.

In a different licensing committee, held this month, convicted drug dealer Ifthkar Ahmed, of Perth Street, Accrington, was granted his request for a private hire licence after he pleaded with them for a second chance.

The 43-year-old was sentenced in 1995 for two drug offences, including intent to supply heroin. Both sentences carried a 42-month sentence.

Police have no power to object to a private hire licence being granted, and the council stressed that 'safety of passengers was paramount'.

His family said he was now working for Arcade taxis in Blackburn.

But coming only a month after another driver was suspended for two weeks for being convicted of hitting a passenger, councillors claim the council is becoming a 'soft touch'.

Tory Coun Paul McGurty said: "I've recently stood down from licensing because I now part own a taxi firm but I have been amazed at some of the decisions I've witnessed.

"It seems anyone who asks can get a licence, regardless of what they did in the past."

A spokesman for the National Private Hire Association, said: "The point of having Criminal Record checks is for the council to think about the impression this sends out to people who use taxis.

"I think it sends out the wrong message. Many of our members think that if you've committed an offence which stays with you for life, you shouldn't be given a licence.

"People need to know they can feel safe in a private hire vehicle. I would suggest the rules need to be tighter."

Tory councillor Michael Law-Riding said: "I have serious concerns about the licensing regulations at present. It is supposed to be about handing power to councils, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

"There have been plenty of complaints about pubs wanting to open later but how many have been rejected."

Coun Frank Connor, in charge of licensing at the council, said: "I can't comment on individual cases but all details are considered in every case."

However Council leader Coun Hollern said: "We need to be taking on board what the police tell us.

"These sorts of things didn't get through before, so I want to find out why it is the case now."

A police spokesman said: "We did make objections to the two off-licence applications and we know they were taken into consideration by the comittee."