£45,000 of unlawful items seized in Southend High Street crackdown – Southend-on-Sea City Council

Working alongside Essex Police and supported by specialist detection canines, officers recovered a big haul of illicit cigarettes, tobacco, vapes and counterfeit toys.

The operation uncovered a community of shops utilizing autos and close by residential addresses to hide unlawful inventory. Two autos appearing as cellular supply items have been seized after proof confirmed they have been supplying retailers and prospects with illicit items. Both autos have since been crushed.

Trading Standards officers additionally eliminated a big variety of unsafe toys, together with in style Labubu and Pop Mart dolls, which did not meet UK security requirements and are suspected counterfeits. These objects shall be destroyed.

In complete, the products seized are valued at round £45,000, a critical blow to official companies buying and selling pretty within the metropolis. Enforcement motion is now below means and will embody fines, closure orders or felony prosecution.

Cllr Martin Terry, cupboard member for neighborhood security and regulatory providers, stated: “Southend-on-Sea City Council is not going to tolerate unlawful buying and selling that places public security in danger and undermines trustworthy native companies.

“Our Trading Standards team works tirelessly to protect residents and ensure retailers meet their legal obligations. The seizure and destruction of these dangerous goods shows that commitment in action.”

More data is accessible on our devoted Trading Standards pages.