Six shops closed in illegal vape and tobacco raids

Trading standards officers and police found six shops selling illegal tobacco

Shops in two coastal towns have been closed down for selling illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco.

The six mini-market shops in Torquay and Paignton will be closed for three months after a major operation by police and trading standards.

Some of the traders had tried to hide the illegal items in places such as the ceiling above a toilet - only accessible by removing a light fitting.

The shops subject to the three-month closure order in Torquay are Milano Mini Market on Tor Hill Road, Cheeto Market on Union Street, International Mini Market on Union Street and The Mist Market on Fleet Street. The shops affected in Paignton are Blueberry Store on Torbay Road and Laz One Shop on Torquay Road.

A multi-pack of illegal cigarettes being removed from its hiding place.

Devon and Cornwall Police successfully applied for the closure orders at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Previous inspections by police and Heart of the South West Trading Standards used detection dogs to reveal stashes of illegal products.

Officers said the products were a danger to children who would be more able to afford "pocket-money" prices for illegal goods.

Insp Rob Harvey from Torquay Police said: "This is a fantastic and significant result to get this many commercial premises closed in one go.

"The action taken reassures the communities of Torbay that we are acting on information reported to us and will not tolerate this illegal behaviour."

Police dogs were used to find the illegal goods

The latest action follows the closure of four shops in Torquay in July this year and two shop closures in Exmouth in June.

Police and trading standards said the cheapest illegal cigarettes available were sold for around £4.50 with counterfeit hand-rolling tobacco sold for between £6 and £10.

Alex Fry, operations manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said: "This joint operation will have severely disrupted the illegal tobacco trade in the area.

"The sale of illegal tobacco harms children as they are able to buy tobacco for pocket money prices and encourages them to take up the habit, and harms legitimate businesses because they undercut legitimate traders who play by the rules."