Closure order issued for Wolverhampton city centre shop after concerns over anti-social behaviour

West Midlands Police have been granted the order for Broad Express on Wulfruna Street in Wolverhampton, which the force said had seen alleged drug offending and disorder take place, as well as concerns over the sale of tobacco and vapes to people aged under 18.

The force said that officers had spoken with members of the public, businesses and residents in the area around concerns about the shop, then worked with Trading Standards and Community Safety teams at Wolverhampton Council to take action.

The closure order was granted at Dudley Magistrates Court on Friday.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We have been granted a closure order for a business that was causing anti-social behaviour problems in Wolverhampton city centre.

"Wolverhampton Police have successfully been granted the closure order for Broad Express, in Wulfruna Street, where alleged drug offending and disorder was taking place.

"There were also concerns about the sale of tobacco and vapes to youngsters under the age of 18, which is illegal.

"Our officers listened to members of the public, including parents and school staff as well as businesses and residents in the area who had raised concerns about the shop.

"And, working alongside partners including the Trading Standards and Community Safety teams at Wolverhampton Council, we have taken action to deter criminality.

"We applied for a closure order which was granted at Dudley Magistrates Court on Friday (3 Jan)."

Inspector Sophie Clement, from the Wolverhampton City Centre Team, said: “This property was a source of significant concern in the city centre.

"We always want to support our business community across the city but sometimes we need to stand up against premises that encourage criminal activity.

"After we received numerous complaints regarding anti-social behaviour, we worked closely with our partners, including the council’s Trading Standards and Community Safety teams, to take decisive action.

“We're pleased to report that a closure order was successfully obtained through the courts.

"Our hope is that this closure will significantly improve the area around the shop, which had been negatively impacted by the anti-social behaviour originating from this property."

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “The Safer Wolverhampton Partnership is committed to creating a safe city where we take a zero-tolerance approach to crime including anti-social behaviour, and we very much welcome this closure order.

"I would encourage anyone else who is affected by anti-social behaviour to report it to the authorities.”