Dereham shop selling illegal vapes ordered to close
It was also found to have sold vapes to children as young as 11
A Dereham shop which sold illegal vapes, Nitrous Oxide (NOS) canisters and vapes containing THC and illicit tobacco has been ordered to close following a court hearing.
A closure notice was served at The Green Shop on Norwich Street, which was also found to have sold vapes to children as young as 11, on Monday 4 December, after four visits over a seven month period from Norfolk Trading Standards and Norfolk Police.
During those visits, they seized items including thousands of illegal vapes alongside tobacco, cigarettes, NOS canisters, THC rolls and very strong alcohol - the shop doesn't hold a valid licence to sell any alcohol.
Following the initial notice, a court hearing was held at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 6 December, and a three-month closure order was granted.
It's the first closure order for a shop selling illegal vapes that's been granted in Norfolk.
PC Natalie Cooper from the Breckland Operational Partnership Team said: “The anti-social behaviour attracted by this shop has had a significant negative impact on the local community, and by getting this closure order granted we are able to give some respite to people living in Dereham.”
Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships Cllr Margaret Dewsbury said: “The Closure Order granted sends a clear signal that organisations with enforcement responsibilities across Norfolk work effectively together and will take positive action to protect public health and address the illegal trading of vapes and vaping products and their illegal sale to children and young people under 18.
“Illegal vapes, such as those seized during these visits, pose a public health risk because they often have excessively high levels of nicotine which are over the legal limits, making them highly addictive and harmful to health.”