Six arrested in Stockport after £80k of illegal vapes seized

Some of the vapes contained more than the legal limit of liquid while others had incorrect health warnings

Six people have been arrested after £80,000 worth of illegal vapes were seized.

Trading Standards and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers joined forces for the joint operation in Stockport town centre and Edgeley.

Research by Trading Standards has shown that vaping amongst young people has more than trebled in the town.

Councillor Frankie Singleton said there was "no place for unscrupulous vape sellers in Stockport".

"Unregulated vapes are deliberately and dangerously targeted at young people, damaging their health," the cabinet member for communities said.

"Whilst the move away from smoking tobacco cigarettes by our youngsters is welcome news, there is clearly a new challenge with preventing their access to vapes."

Stockport's director of public health Jilla Burgess-Allen said: "E-cigarettes are safer than smoking tobacco and are a good cigarette replacement for those trying to quit but, our message is clear, if you don't smoke, don't start smoking or vaping."

The joint operation took place around the Peel Centre, Merseyway, St Petersgate and Edgeley as part of Operation Rimini - a dedicated response to tackling reports of offences in Stockport town centre including theft, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.