Wakefield: Thousands of illegal vapes seized during crackdown

Test purchases were carried out on Saturday, with thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes seized

More than 5,000 illegal vapes and cigarettes have been seized in an undercover sting targeting shops in the Wakefield area.

Police and the council carried out a number of test purchases on Saturday in South Kirkby and South Elmsall after concerns about sales to children.

At one store in South Kirkby, 5,159 illegal vapes worth a total of about £75,000 were found.

Nitrous oxide and counterfeit cigarettes were also seized.

Two other shops, both in South Elmsall, were recorded as selling alcohol to underage people and will be subject to licence reviews.

Insp Glen Costello, of West Yorkshire Police, said the test purchases were a result of concerns raised by the local community.

"If anyone has any information about crime or anti-social behaviour in their area then I would urge them to report it to us," he said.

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