Stoke-on-Trent's trading standards team has seized £3.3 million worth of unsafe and illegal goods over the past financial year. The major crackdown targeted dangerous electrical items, unsafe toys, banned tobacco and illegal vapes being sold across the city.
Nearly £750,000 of the total seizure consisted of illegal tobacco and vapes alone. This included cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco and e-cigarettes that were being sold illegally on Stoke streets. Unsafe air fryers imported by a large city-based importer made up a significant portion of the remaining haul.
Trading standards also removed non-compliant toys and baby products from shelves to protect children. Councillor Amjid Wazir highlighted the importance of the enforcement action, stating that removing these unsafe products keeps consumers safe and maintains a fair marketplace in Stoke.
The seizures demonstrate that Stoke's trading standards team takes illegal trading seriously. Traders who break the law face serious consequences, with the team working to protect local residents from dangerous goods entering the marketplace.
Residents with concerns about illegal tobacco or vapes in Stoke can report them to Trading Standards on 01782 238884. The team encourages the public to flag suspicious goods being sold locally so they can investigate and take action.