Totton shop ordered to close for three months after illicit tobacco and vape products were seized from the premises

Totton shop ordered to close for three months after illicit tobacco and vape products were seized from the premises

Last Thursday (10 September), following considerable partnership work between Totton Neighbourhood Policing Team and Trading Standards, Southampton Magistrates’ Court granted a full closure order at Bright Express on Rumbridge Street in Totton.

As a result of the order, which was submitted to the court under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the shop has been forced to cease trading until Thursday 10 December.

It came after officers from Totton Neighbourhood Policing Team, and Hampshire County Council’s Trading Standards, supplied evidence of illegal tobacco and vape sales at the shop in question.

In addition to this, members of the local community have provided information about anti-social behaviour and the shop being frequented by school-aged children, to which items were also reportedly sold.

The application was supported by significant evidence, gathered during a joint-partnership operation which spanned several months. This included enforcement visits, during which counterfeit or illicit goods were seized.

On Wednesday 27 May, during one of these visits, 216 packets of cigarettes (4,320 cigarette sticks), 46 pouches (50g) of hand-rolled tobacco, 156 illicit vapes and 50 food and drink items were all seized.

The total high street value of the seized items, had they been sold, would have been £3,326. The total high street value of the equivalent compliant cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco would have been £8,529.

Totton NPT's Local Bobby, PC Jess Surman said: “This shop has persistently stocked and sold illegal cigarettes and vapes, so we are very pleased to get this closure order in place to prevent further sales of potentially dangerous tobacco and vape products.

“Profits from criminal enterprises are often linked to organised crime groups. So, by taking them off the streets, we’re able to protect our communities from unregulated products, whilst also disrupting a wider network of criminal activity that can include the exploitation of vulnerable people.

“I’d like to thank members of the public who reported concerns to us. The information we receive in the form of intelligence really does make a difference in our investigations and I’d encourage anyone with concerns about businesses that may be operating illegally to contact us. The more information we receive, the more action we can take, and the sooner we can take it.”

To report concerns of counterfeit goods, please contact the illegal tobacco hotline on 0300 999 6 999. You can also get in touch with Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133, or visit Contact the consumer service - Citizens Advice

To report concerns of businesses engaging in illegal activity, or to log non-urgent crimes happening in your area, please call 101, or report online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, below;

Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111, or via Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers