Thurrock store ordered to close after 9,000 illegal vapes found, reopens after compliance

Christine Sexton, Local Democracy Reporter

More than 9,000 illegal vapes were seized from a Thurrock shop last year, it has been revealed.

Michael Dineen, assistant director for counter fraud, enforcement and community protection at Thurrock Council gave councillors a run-down of the work of Thurrock’s Community Safety Partnership following its annual report for 2023/24.

Priorities for the partnership during the year included tackling violence against women, gang crime and antisocial behaviour as well as illegal sales.

Speaking at a meeting of Thurrock’s policy and resources overview and scrutiny committee on Tuesday, Dineen revealed a shop had been ordered to close over illegal vape sales. He didn’t identify the shop.

“A closure order was placed on a vape store that sold illegal vapes to residents and visitors to Thurrock and indeed likely children which would have an adverse effect on their health and antisocial behaviour in general,” he said.

“I do believe 9,000 vapes were seize from that property last year.”

Gary Byrne, chairman of the committee welcomed the result.

He said: “That vape shop has now re-opened and it’s totally legal now so they’ve learnt their lesson so they are back up and running and still paying their rates so a job well done.”

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)