‘We will not hesitate’ - South Tyneside Council continues robust action against illicit trade
South Tyneside Council pledges to continue tackling illegal trade across the borough.
Council bosses in South Tyneside have stated that there will be no hesitation over taking robust action to clamp down on the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and vape products.
The warning to illegal traders comes weeks after £10,000-worth of illegal products were seized from two retailers in Hebburn and Jarrow
In May, Trading Standards officers uncovered more than 9,000 illegal cigarettes and around 5kg of hand‑rolling tobacco.
The action was part of Operation Cece, a UK-wide initiative led by Trading Standards in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that aims to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco products.
‘We will not hesitate to take robust action’
Councillor Karen Pittuck, Lead Member for Highways, Neighbourhoods and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said: “We continue to take robust action to tackle the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and vapes products across South Tyneside.
“These products help fund organised crime, are unregulated, frequently targeted at young people putting them at risk. This activity also undermine legitimate businesses and contributes to wider criminal activity.
“Where we find evidence of illegal activity, we will not hesitate to take robust action, using the full range of enforcement powers available to us, to protect residents and support law‑abiding traders with the resources available to us.
“Our Trading Standards team works closely with Northumbria Police to identify those involved, seize illegal goods and take enforcement action, including pursuing closure orders where appropriate.
“We would encourage residents to keep reporting concerns to us so we can continue to target those responsible and keep our communities safe.”
Closure orders
Local residents were updated about the seizures during the latest meeting of the Hebburn Community Area Forum (CAF) after concerns were raised around the sale of vapes to children.
During the meeting, Donald Wade, South Tyneside Council anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood crime and serious violence co-ordinator reassured residents that Trading Standards officers are now pursuing closure orders against the retailers.
In April, South Tyneside Council secured a full closure order against The Vape Shop, on King Street, in South Shields, after it was found to be selling illegally branded cigarettes and continued to do so despite numerous warnings.
Anyone wishing to report illegal tobacco can do so by calling: 0300 999 0000 or online at: https://keep-it-out.co.uk/.