Rise of 588% in shops having illegal goods seized

More than 750 illegal vapes were seized in one day by Kent County Council back in 2022

Kent County Council (KCC) has seen a rise of more than 588% in the number of shops having illegal goods seized in the past two years, BBC's England Data Unit has found.

In 2024-25, KCC reported illegal goods being seized from 117 shops, compared to 77 in 2023-24 and 17 in 2022-23.

"This increase is not a reflection of a worsening problem alone, but also of a deliberate and strategic intensification of enforcement activity across the county," said a council spokesperson.

The Home Office has been contacted for a response.

KCC added that its trading standards team seized almost two million illegal cigarettes, 605.5kg (95st 5lb) of hand-rolling tobacco and 25,476 illicit vapes in 2024-25.

"These seizures were concentrated in areas such as Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford, and included sophisticated concealment methods such as hidden compartments behind showers," it said.

Freedom of Information request responses from 169 councils across Britain showed 3,624 shops in Britain had illegal cigarettes, tobacco or vaping products seized from them in the 2024-25 financial year - down slightly from 3,664 in 2023-24.

The BBC investigation also found many shops seized from were convenience stores, mini marts and vape shops.

James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said he supported enforcement action against businesses knowingly selling illegal products.

He added: "At the moment, too many shady businesses are taking the risk on selling illicit goods because the financial reward outweighs any possible repercussions."