£10,000 Worth of Illegal Vapes and Tobacco Seized in Leigh Town Centre Operation
Greater Manchester Police and Trading Standards team up to tackle illicit sales as part of Safe4Summer campaign
A joint operation targeting illegal vapes and tobacco in Leigh town centre has led to the seizure of £10,000 worth of illicit products.
On Tuesday 9 September, officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Leigh neighbourhood team joined forces with Trading Standards and specialist detection dogs from Wagtail to carry out two simultaneous warrants. The action was part of GMP’s ongoing Safe4Summer initiative, aimed at keeping town centres safe and reducing crime across the region.
During the operation, officers seized 954 packs of illegal cigarettes and tobacco, along with 309 illegal vapes. One man attempted to flee via a rear exit but was intercepted by officers stationed outside the premises.
Neighbourhood Inspector Sam Davies said:
“Working in partnership with Trading Standards is key to ensuring shops are selling legitimate products and our communities are kept safe.
“We know that our activity during these warrants will have a real impact on illegal operations uncovered in the area and sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this.”
Councillor Paul Prescott, cabinet portfolio holder for environmental services, added:
“Products like these can be a significant health risk for the community and undermine public safety. Our Trading Standards team proactively investigate illegal trading and we will continue to work alongside our colleagues at GMP to tackle these activities.”
Residents are encouraged to report concerns about illegal sales to 0808 223 1133, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Safe4Summer campaign, launched in June, is part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Summer Initiative and aims to reduce crime and promote safety across Greater Manchester’s town centres.