City shop closed after raid
A shop in Lincoln is one of four across the county that have been closed for selling illegal tobacco products.
Lincoln Magistrates ordered a three-month closure order (the maximum allowed) for Portland Vape on Portland Street after it was investigated by Trading Standards officers from Lincolnshire County Council.
Two shops in Boston and one in Gainsborough were also closed after raids carried out by Trading Standards and police teams discovered around 60,000 illegal cigarettes and 300 vapes across the four sites.
Cllr Alex McGonigle, executive councillor for community safety, said: “Our Trading Standards officers work closely with Lincolnshire Police, taking swift action against shops that peddle dangerous products. Securing closure orders is just one of the tools in our armoury to disrupt the sale of illegal tobacco.
“Let’s be clear: these products are unsafe; they have caused house fires that have killed people in Lincolnshire. Not only that, the shops that sell them contribute to anti-social behaviour and fund organised crime. We will continue to prioritise the safety of our residents and take action to stub out illicit tobacco.
“The intelligence we receive from local communities on the ground is critical in helping us tackle this illegal trade head on. I encourage anyone to come forward with information that may support us with operations moving forward.”
Since January 2024 144 closure orders have been served, with almost 900,000 illegal cigarettes removed from Lincolnshire’s streets since January 2025.
Criminal investigations are ongoing and Insp Michael Head added: “Premises involved in the sale of illegal tobacco have a damaging impact on the communities we serve. They are often linked to wider criminality, antisocial behaviour and serious safety risks, which can make people feel less safe in their own neighbourhoods.
“By working closely with Trading Standards and our partners, we are sending a clear message that this kind of activity will not be tolerated, and we will continue to take action to protect residents and disrupt those who profit from criminal harm in our community.”
The public can help the fight against illegal activity by reporting it anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information