Trading standards take action against Atherstone shop following Op Resolve patrol

A shop on Long Street in Atherstone was spotted selling counterfeit tobacco by PSCO Scott during an Op Resolve patrol.

On Tuesday 4 November, the shop was visited by Trading Standards and Environmental Health, supported by Atherstone SNT, and were advised they would need to stay closed until environmental concerns were resolved.

The following day (5 November), five customers were observed entering and leaving the shop.

Atherstone SNT attended with environmental agency, seizing counterfeit vapes and cigarettes estimated to be worth thousands of pounds which were on the premises.

The issue of how food products were being stored and hygiene conditions in the shop was again raised, and the North Warwickshire Borough Council Environmental Health team attended to seize the food products and to serve a notice on the shop.

A day later, SNT officers attended again, leading to the seizure of around £800 worth of tobacco and vapes.

PC Stephen Taylor of Atherstone SNT said “We will keep coming back again and again until the shop is cleared if that is what it will take to stop the sale of dodgy vapes, tobacco, and questionably stored food and keep our community safe and healthy.

“Hopefully, the third time is the charm in this case.”

Op Resolve is a hotspot policing approach to tackle antisocial behaviour and serious violence with targeted patrols. Find out more here.