Closure orders extended for three Spalding stores after resident raise concerns
Police have successfully extended closure orders for three shops selling illegal vapes and cigarettes - after residents raised concerns over anti-social behaviour.
Premises along the Winsover Road area in Spalding will be shut for an additional three months, following ‘diligent’ reporting from members of the public.
Nida and Max Mini Mart were both hit with closure orders in April by South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Team, licensing authorities and Lincolnshire County Council’s Trading Standards, for selling counterfeit cigarettes and vapes.
The two shops will now be closed until 11.59pm on October 8 as a result of evidence collected through police patrols and reports from the public, which suggested anti-social behaviour would be likely to continue.
The Spalding European shop has also had its closure order extended to 11.59pm on October 29.
After the store was forced to close in January, officers arrested a ‘suspicious’ 35-year-old man in May, for breaching the closure order and in relation to six bags of suspected counterfeit cigarettes found during a forced entry.
Sgt Callum Corder, from South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We received reports from the public raising concerns around the activity on Short Street and Winsover Road which enabled us to proactively target our patrols in the area.
“We evidenced insecure premises, arrested a 35-year-old man in breach of the closure order in one premises, stop searched multiple individuals, and seized numerous counterfeit cigarettes. This evidenced that anti-social behaviour would continue at the premises.
“We recognise that members of the public want action and longer closures, and I am glad the court agreed with our concerns. I have been working with the landlords of the premises with a view to permanently removing tenants who are committing criminal acts.
“Please report any suspicious activity around these closed properties, and indeed any concerns you may have about anti-social behaviour, or illicit tobacco sales to your Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“You can also report anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.”