A shop has been ordered to close after it sold illicit vapes to children.
Lancaster Police and Lancashire County Council issued the three-month closure order at City Mini Mart, in Penny Street, Lancaster.
The store had failed Trading Standards test purchasing operations on five occasions since November 2023, where a 14-year-old test purchaser was not challenged or asked for ID when buying vapes.
Lancaster Police applied for a closure order for the shop under anti-social behaviour legislation designed to tackle public nuisance and disorder. The application was granted on Wednesday, January 29.
PC Pete Burns from the ASB, Prevention and Problem-Solving Command said: “We are thrilled to have this result and issuing this closure order exemplifies our commitment to dealing with ASB in Lancaster.
“We will continue to work with our communities and partners to tackle the illegal sale of vapes and tobacco to children, so please continue to report any illegal activity to us”.
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said: “I’d like to thank Lancashire Police for listening to community concerns and working with partners to tackle this shop which was selling illegal tobacco and vapes to children. I hope this sends the message out loud and clear that Lancaster is not a place where you can run businesses in ways which harm children and break the law.”
Operation Centurion is a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
