Crackdown on dodgy Walsall traders sees £200k worth of vapes seized
More than £200,000-worth of vapes have been seized across Walsall over the last four years.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Latest figures revealed nearly 25,000 of the devices were taken off the streets in the borough between 2021 and 2024.
The data, released in a Freedom of Information request, showed the number of vapes seized rose sharply, with more than 9,000 illegal vapes confiscated in both 2023 and 2024.
The crackdown is a key part of the borough council’s Tobacco Control Plan, which aims to disrupt the illegal market and protect residents from potentially harmful products.
Leader of the council, Councillor Garry Perry, said the authority would use all powers available to stop dangerous traders.
He said: “Operations are carried out frequently, and traders need to realise we are not going to allow them to sell illegal goods in our borough.
“I want to thank the trading standards team and West Midlands Police for their hard work to get these products off our streets.
“Many of these dodgy traders are prepared to sell to children, which is unacceptable and dangerous.
“We have adopted a strong approach to these matters and will use every enforcement technique at our disposal to disrupt this type of activity and keep our residents safe.
“This work is also vital in delivering our Tobacco Control Plan, a key aspect of which focuses on tackling the trade of illicit tobacco and vaping products.”
