£10k illegal vape haul seized in South Tyneside - council chiefs now seek seller closures
A £10k haul of illegal vapes has been seized in Hebburn - South Tyneside Council chiefs now want to close down sellers.
Council chiefs in South Tyneside stressed they continue to seek closure orders and to tackle the trade of illicit goods after recent intelligence helped them seize £10,000 of "illegal vapes".
The update came at the latest meeting of Hebburn Community Area Forum (CAF) after concerns were raised by residents attending around the sale of vapes to children and the supply of illicit devices.
Donald Wade, South Tyneside Council anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood crime and serious violence co-ordinator, stressed they are looking to issue closure orders and tackle problem premises and individuals and gave examples of ongoing work.
He said: "We’re looking to take action against two Hebburn premises that we’ve identified as being involved in the illegal supply of vapes and they were raided in a joint operation between police colleagues and trading standards.
"Between the various jobs that were done in the Hebburn and Jarrow area, £10,000 of illegal vapes were seized.
"Now trading standards are going in to pursue the closure orders against them."
He also gave another example of work they have been doing to address concerns around similar issues in Campbell Park.
Mr Wade continued: "We became aware that there were issues with the supply of illegal vapes, specifically in the park, specifically targeting young people.
"That individual is under bail for investigation but is barred from Campbell Park and from going near any educational establishment.
"We have the information, CCTV colleagues have pictures, and we’ll help police with that, and this is something we do very much in terms of those individuals who are wanted or are on bail, we will actively look for them in support of police colleagues."
He added the action came following work with Northumbria Police which saw "a significant amount of illegal vapes" recovered.
A police representative, speaking at recent CAF meetings, stressed they have plans in place to clampdown on illicit vapes and the selling of vapes to children and they have a "very good success rate around closing shops and targeting nominals who are doing that".
Mr Wade added intelligence brought forward at recent Hebburn CAF meetings was partly responsible for helping them to take action in both the examples given.
He therefore urged anyone in the borough with any information to get in touch with either the police or the council.
Across the country trading standards teams and local police frequently seize illegal and non-compliant vapes.
Confiscations often target oversized tanks (exceeding the 2ml legal limit), unregulated nicotine levels, counterfeit products, and illegal disposables.
Meanwhile it is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18 or to buy them on behalf of under-18s.
People can report information to police at https://www.northumbria.police.uk/ as well as by calling 101.
For details on how to report anti-social behaviour to the council, visit https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/1957/Report-anti-social-behaviour.