Shutting up shop! Closure orders for two Spalding stores after illegal cigarette and vape operation

Two stores have been hit with closure orders as police continue to combat the sale of dodgy cigarettes and vapes.

The Nida and Mini Max mart shops, both located on Spalding’s Winsover Road, have both been shut for three months following an operation carried out earlier this month by South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Team in conjunction with licensing authorities and Lincolnshire County Council’s Trading Standards on April 7.

The operation aimed to target individuals who persist in putting our communities at risk by selling counterfeit cigarettes and vapes.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court imposed the closure orders.

“We will continue working with our Trading Standards partners to tackle this behaviour,” Sgt Callum Corder said.

“We understand the public want the shops to be closed indefinitely, however legislation determines the maximum duration of these closures.

“All agencies try to work with the premises landlords to ensure future tenants do not continue this criminal activity.

“However, we also rely on information received to alert us to any new shops.

“This work is just a small part of a broader scope of work our team do to prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour in South Holland.

“It is deemed that making a closure order was necessary to prevent further criminal activity on the premises.

“These orders last for three months”

Police also appealed to the public to play their part in keeping these dangerous products off the streets.

“Please can I ask any that any information is reported to us on other premises you suspect are involved in criminal activity,” Sgt Corder added.