Merseyside Police said ‘we will not tolerate this’
A closure order has been posted on the front of the UK Mini Market on Borough Road, Wallasey(Image: Copyright Unknown)
People have been banned from entering two Merseyside shops for three months as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Thousands of illegal cigarettes were seized following raids by Merseyside Police and Wirral Council’s trading standards team.
Notices informing the public of closure orders, issued by Sefton Magistrates’ Court on December 11, have been posted outside Wallasey Market at 18 Liscard Village, Wallasey and UK Mini Market at 142 Borough Road, Wallasey. This follows five enforcement visits by the authorities.
At Wallasey Market, Wirral Council said 560 illegal e-cigarettes, 220 illegal e-cigarette refill cartridges, 1kg of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, and 80 illegal cigarettes were seized.
Meanwhile at the UK Mini Market, authorities found 27,320 cigarettes, 5.95kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and 51 single-use e-cigarettes. Wirral Council said the estimated value of these goods were around £9,125 based on typical black-market prices but would have been worth around £25,845 if sold at genuine retail prices.
The local authority said: “The closure orders were sought following repeated enforcement activity and intelligence reports indicating ongoing criminal behaviour at the premises.
“These actions form part of a wider strategy to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products, which pose significant health risks and undermine legitimate businesses.”
A closure order has also been posted on the front of Wallasey Market in Liscard, Wallasey(Image: Copyright Unknown)
In a witness statement provided to Sefton Magistrates’ Court, Wirral’s public health director Dave Bradburn said: “A significant risk that undermines tobacco control measures is the illicit tobacco trade and underage sales of tobacco. As illicit tobacco products are sold at significantly lower prices, often less than half the price of legitimate products, consequently are more affordable for children.
“There is no doubt that businesses in Wirral that engage in practices such as the sale of illicit and counterfeit tobacco and vape products, or facilitate underage sales, pose a significant health risk to communities in which they operate.
“Often illicit tobacco and vape products that have not been tested and are unlicensed pose a risk to the health of anyone who uses them as their contents are unknown. These activities represent a public health threat and nuisance, fundamentally undermining tobacco control strategies and smoking cessation interventions.”
Merseyside Police’s neighbourhood inspector Sharon Robinson said: “When we receive intelligence about illegal goods, we work with the councils and Trading Standards to investigate and take robust enforcement action.
“Those involved in selling counterfeit goods are not just committing fraud they are often feeding organised crime networks that thrive on exploitation and violence. These criminal enterprises use profits from illicit tobacco and fake products to fund activities that tear communities apart, bringing intimidation, harm, and fear to our streets.
“We will not tolerate this. If you know anyone involved in selling illicit tobacco or counterfeit goods, speak up. Every report helps us dismantle these networks and protect our communities from serious crime.”
People have been asked if they know any stores involved to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Both notices displayed said the occupiers of the premises were not in court. The order was made due to concerns of “disorderly, offensive, or criminal behaviour,” “serious nuisance to members of the public”, and “disorder near the premises associated with the use of the premises”.
The closure order bans anyone from entering the shops at all times with the exception of anyone who has permission from Wirral Council or members of emergency services. The order will end 4pm on March 10, 2026.