Hundreds of illegal goods have been seized from shops in Bury as part of a crackdown on so-called 'dodgy shops'. The town hall has promised this is 'only the beginning'.
Seized items and value
Trading standards officers from Bury council, with help from Greater Manchester Police and sniffer dog Grace, found 397 packets of cigarettes, 51 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, and 127 vapes in four shops. Counterfeit and potentially unsafe children's toys were taken from a fifth shop. The total value of the goods is estimated at around £8,500.
Background and council commitment
The raid follows a recent promise by councillors to tackle the 'scourge' of 'dodgy shops' on the borough's high streets. These shops are said to trade illegally while appearing legitimate, and can be 'gateways' to drug dealing, money laundering, modern slavery, human trafficking, and cybercrime.
In July, Labour councillor Michael Rubinstein told the council chamber that up to 50 per cent of mini-marts and vape shops, and up to a third of American candy shops, are believed to be 'operating outside the law'. He added: "When criminals take over, societies crumble." The council unanimously passed a motion to adopt a 'zero tolerance approach' to illicit trading and to hold a 'borough-wide summit' to plan action.
Ongoing enforcement
The council says the recent seizures are 'only the beginning'. Investigations are underway to trace supply chains, identify those responsible, and decide on further enforcement action.
Councillor Gavin McGill, cabinet member for culture and economy, said: "Bury council has made a clear commitment through its recent motion that there will be zero tolerance towards the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vaping products in our communities. This operation demonstrates that commitment in action.
"Working closely with our Trading Standards team, Greater Manchester Police and specialist partners such as Wagtail UK, we are actively targeting those who seek to profit from illegal sales whilst undermining legitimate local businesses. I am particularly pleased to see our new Tobacco and Vape Apprentice Officer taking part in this important work, helping us build future enforcement capacity while protecting our residents today.
"The message is simple. If you are involved in the sale of illicit tobacco, illegal vapes or counterfeit goods in Bury, you should expect enforcement action. These visits are not a one-off exercise. They form part of an ongoing programme of intelligence-led investigations and enforcement activity.
"Our zero-tolerance approach supports honest traders, protects our high streets and town centres, and helps reduce the significant harm that illegal tobacco and vaping products can cause to public health."
Residents are being urged to report concerns about the sale of illicit tobacco, illegal vaping products, or counterfeit goods to the council's Trading Standards Service.
