First closure order issued over illegal vape sales

A shop has been ordered to close after it was found to be selling illegal tobacco, cigarettes and vapes.

Orange Shop on Hainton Avenue in Grimsby has been issued with a closure order - the first of its kind in North East Lincolnshire.

Thousands of items were found during a raid by officers from Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council, including cigarettes and tobacco pouches with incorrect packaging, and vapes breaching legal limits.

At a hearing at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, the shop was ordered to remain closed for up to three months.

The council said that despite multiple warnings and raids, the shop had continued to sell the illegal products to children as well as adults.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader Oliver Freeston said: "Time and time again we see shops get raided in the morning and they're back selling illegal products in the afternoon – it simply wasn't good enough.

"During a summit earlier this year, the council and other leading partners agreed to look at how we could make a real difference in combating the trade of illegal tobacco products.

"This is a sign of our intentions going forward and I'm happy that we're taking a step in the right direction.

"Let this be a lesson to others selling illegal products – we have zero tolerance for it and will do everything we can to stop you."

Last month, the government announced plans requiring new vape shops to seek planning permission from a local council.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the plans were "shaped" by a series of BBC News investigations which exposed organised crime on high streets, revealing shops selling illegal cigarettes, vapes, cannabis and cocaine, enabling illegal working and suspected money-laundering.

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