Cheshire Police shut seven shops over illicit tobacco sales
Cheshire Police have secured court orders to shut down seven retail premises across four towns following concerns over illicit tobacco sales.
Police have shut down seven retail premises across four towns in the east of Cheshire following concerns over the sale of illicit tobacco products, according to reporting from Yahoo News UK and Cheshire Live. Officers presented evidence regarding the illegal goods to the court to secure the closure orders, forming part of a coordinated regional enforcement effort.
The crackdown in Cheshire mirrors similar operations in neighbouring areas. In North Staffordshire, three town centre shops in Newcastle were recently hit with comparable orders during an operation reported by The Sentinel. That separate enforcement action led to the seizure of thousands of illegal cigarettes, alongside quantities of hand-rolling tobacco and illegal vapes.
Media additions
In addition to the seven newly secured closures across the east of Cheshire, another location had its existing closure order extended by a further three months. According to Cheshire Live, this brought the total number of affected storefronts across the four towns to eight.
Targeted Locations and Enforcement
The court-backed closure orders apply to specific retail addresses spanning Congleton, Alsager, Sandbach, and Macclesfield. Anyone who enters any of these properties while the closure orders remain active faces severe legal consequences, including a heavy fine or a potential prison sentence, as detailed by Cheshire Live.
| Shop Name | Location | Town |
|---|---|---|
| Swan Bank Mini Market | Swan Bank | Congleton |
| The Vape Club | Lawton Road | Alsager |
| Sandbach Mini Market | Bradwall Road | Sandbach |
| Marvel Corner Shop | Congleton Road | Sandbach |
| Euro Plus | Sunderland Street | Macclesfield |
| Yum Yums | Chestergate | Macclesfield |
| Express Mini Market | Mill Street | Macclesfield |
| Victoria Mart (Extended Order) | Queen Victoria Street | Macclesfield |
The extension for Victoria Mart on Queen Victoria Street was secured on a Tuesday, according to Cheshire Live, cementing the total enforcement footprint across the eastern division.
Police Response and Community Appeal
Authorities hope the enforcement action will deter further offenses in the region. The operation was led by officers including the Eastern Problem-Solving Team.
"I hope that the action of closing seven retailers involved in criminal activity, and keeping an eighth closed for even longer, sends a clear message to those involved in any form of criminality that their actions will not be tolerated in the east of Cheshire."
PC Helen Weeks, Eastern Problem-Solving Team, via Yahoo News UK and Cheshire Live
PC Helen Weeks also emphasized the critical role that local residents play in identifying and reporting neighbourhood crime. According to her statements reported across the outlets, law enforcement agencies rely heavily on community intelligence to initiate investigations, urging anyone with knowledge of local criminality to come forward.
"I also hope that it reassures residents that police do listen to their concerns and will always take action when they come to us with any concerns. With that said, we cannot act without your vital information. So if you are aware of any criminality taking place in your area, let us know and we will take it from there."
PC Helen Weeks, Eastern Problem-Solving Team, via Yahoo News UK and Cheshire Live
What to Watch Next
- Watch for potential further enforcement actions by the Eastern Problem-Solving Team as local intelligence leads to additional retail inspections.
- Observe whether similar multi-agency crackdowns on illicit tobacco expand from North Staffordshire and Cheshire into neighbouring police divisions.
