Nine shops in Spalding, Boston and Holbeach forced to close

Nine shops which were found to be selling illegal cigarettes and vapes have been forced to close their doors by magistrates.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards and the police force have secured three month closure orders for six shops in Boston, two in Spalding – including Sheep Market’s Nazsa Biedronka - and Holbeach Market last week.

Police were forced to run after one man who had fled from the back of a Boston shop but was later detained following assistance from the town’s CCTV cameras.

Andy Wright, Principal Trading Standards Officer, has welcomed the closures but has warned that further actions will be taken.

He said, “The closures are as a direct response to concerns expressed by members of the public through the police ‘Streetsafe’ initiative. Streetsafe allows members of the public to anonymously report areas in which they feel unsafe or vulnerable. I don’t think it is a coincidence that many of the illegal businesses forcibly closed are to be found within those areas.”

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“It is our intention to ensure that future investment in these towns is made on the foundations of a law-abiding business community. We fully intend to step up actions over the next year.”

Officers last week visited the nine premises where illegal products were being sold and secured closure orders for:

- Nasza Biedronka, Spalding

- Easy Shop, Spalding

- Holbeach Market, High Street, Holbeach

- The Fruit Shop, Biedronka, and Mini Market all on the High Street in Boston

- Kubus on Red Lion Street in Boston

- Europa on Fydell Street in Boston

- Balkans Mini Market on West Street in Boston

PC Amy Thorley from Lincolnshire Police said: “Illegal trading is only part of the problem which is often linked to other criminality across Lincolnshire and other force areas.

“We are aware that it is an identified problem, and one that we are committed to dealing with, through the use of closure orders and other legislation.

“We have a good working relationship with Trading Standards and have been working closely with them on this issue for some time. We intend to continue this work and will involve other suitable agencies to assist.”

Streetsafe Reports can be made on: https://www.lincs.police.uk/notices/street-safe/street-safe/ Or download the App. If you have information that may assist please report it on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

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