Halton Borough Council’s Trading Standards team have been busy investigating retailers involved in the sale of counterfeit and illicit tobacco, with the products often being sold to children as young as 11 years old.
Following the closure of Newsrack in Widnes in May, when the premises was closed for six months for selling counterfeit tobacco to children, on 13 September at Chester Magistrates Court, the Council was granted a second closure order against a premises trading as Widnes Mini Mart, 97 Widnes Road.
The application was made under The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and effectively the three-month closure order will mean the premises will remain closed until 12 December.
The investigation by Trading Standards Officers covering 18 months was the result of numerous complaints from residents and legitimate retailers in Widnes. Traders operating at the premises were visited twice during the period, resulting in two seizures of illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes, worth over £33,000. In total c. 16.6k cigarettes, 4.6kg tobacco, and 2,400 non-compliant vapes were seized, along with a vehicle used for storing the tobacco.
During the first visit in March 2023, Trading Standards Officers assisted by ‘Billy’ a Wagtail tobacco seizure dog, uncovered two concealment units hidden behind false walls in the premises.
Despite the numerous visits, the seizures, and eight warnings issued to the occupants of the premises, the traders continued to sell counterfeit tobacco and illicit vapes, including sales to children under 16.
Cllr Martha Lloyd-Jones, the Council’s Executive Board member for Consumer Protection & Trading Standards, says: ‘It’s important that our Trading Standards Officers continue to investigate and prosecute those involved in the supply of counterfeit/illicit tobacco and non-compliant vapes.
“The sale of counterfeit/illicit tobacco is a real concern, and more so when our children are at risk of harm. The Council has a duty to protect the health of our residents in Halton, and I’m pleased that the magistrates have supported the actions of the Council, and in doing so agreed to award the Closure Order to prevent the premises from continuing to trade.
“Closing a premises is not a decision we take lightly, but when businesses continue to flout the law, despite being given adequate warnings, then this approach becomes necessary. I hope this sends out a strong and clear message, that we will not tolerate this criminal activity and there is no hiding place on the streets of Halton.”
A spokesperson for Halton Trading Standards went on to say: “This is the second closure order that we have been awarded and we will continue to target those premises involved in facilitating the criminality.
“This second closure order sends out a clear message to landlords that they need to vet prospective tenants, and not to turn a blind eye on the tenant’s trading practices. The traders operating from the premises had no respect for the law, or the harm they were doing, with a disregard to the health of the children they sold to, and now they will pay the consequences of their illegal actions.
“This legislation is a vital tool in our armoury when up against unscrupulous hardened traders, when our normal enforcement actions go unheeded. We would urge members of the public to continue reporting such activity so that we can take the necessary action.
“Halton Trading Standards will continue to pro-actively target traders whether they sell via the High Street, or online social media accounts like Facebook. With a clear warning that sellers will face criminal enforcement action when they are caught and they risk having their computers, mobile phones and even their vehicles seized.
“Furthermore, sellers should consider the impact a criminal conviction will have on their private lives – their employment prospects, their ability to get holiday visas and their reputation with their neighbours and their community.”
If you have any information involving the sale of any counterfeit goods then you can report it, anonymously if you wish, via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
If you have any information specifically relating to the sale of illicit cigarettes or alcohol, then you can telephone the Halton Trading Standards Hotline for Alcohol and Tobacco on 0151 511 8787. This is a reporting voicemail facility only and any information provided can be left anonymously, however, please provide enough information to identify those involved and if you want feedback your contact details too. Remember all other trading standards matters can be reported in the usual manner by contacting 0808 223 1133, as above.