Four shops in Nantwich and Crewe closed down in police operation

Four shops have now been closed by police and trading standards across Nantwich and Crewe amid a crackdown on suspected illegal activity.

We revealed last week how the Friendly Mart shop on High Street in Nantwich had been subjected to a three-month closure order.

It was visited by officers and trading standards as part of Operation Snips, targeting outlets linked to anti-social behaviour of selling items to underage customers.

Police said Operation Snips was “a joint agency operation carried out by the Eastern Problem Solving Team with assistance from Crewe Beat Officers and Cheshire East Trading Standards”.

They added: “This comes following reports of illegal activity including anti-social behaviour at the premises and failing to adhere to age limit restrictions when selling items.

“This takes our total to six commercial premises that have received closure orders this year.”

Other stores closed down in the latest operation included three on Nantwich Road in Crewe – Bob Shop, Top Gee and Liam stores.

Friendly Mart in Nantwich has had a “closure order” notice pasted to the front door. The shop frontage is now boarded up.

The closure notice states the premises or person associated with premises is engaged or likely to be engaged “in disorder” and/or “is likely to result in serious public nuisance to the public”.

Witnesses say they saw police officers carrying a number of “bags of cigarettes” out of the shop and that police sniffer dog were on the premises.

Cllr Dawn Clark, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for finance, legal and enforcement, said: “These raids and closure orders send out a clear message that we are an enforcing council and we will continue to tackle head on the scourge of illicit tobacco and vapes – as well as underage tobacco sales – working effectively with our partners.

“Anti-social and unlawful outlets in Cheshire East should know that we will not stand by and watch while they act illegally.

“The sale of Illicit tobacco and vapes has proven links to organised crime and the sale of these products is known to contribute to human trafficking and other criminality.

“Illicit tobacco also undermines efforts of our health teams and NHS partners to reduce the number of people smoking and encourages children to take up smoking, which negatively impacts their long-term health.

“I would urge people to report the sale of illegal tobacco and single-use vapes in Cheshire East call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 2231133 or start a Live Chat on our website.”