Police tackle illicit vape sales in Rossendale

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Rossendale Police have successfully issued a three-month closure order at a shop in Haslingden after they repeatedly sold illicit tobacco and vapes to children. 

The Polish Shop on Deadengate had failed Trading Standards test purchasing operations on seven occasions since 2020 where an underage test purchaser was not challenged when buying products. 

Officers applied for a closure which was granted and formally issued on Wednesday 2nd July, meaning the business must close for three months. 

Local Neighbourhood Sergeant, Paul Marsden, said: “We hope that issuing this closure order sends a strong message that this kind of activity will not be tolerated in East Lancashire. 

“We are committed to making communities feel safer and better places to live and work and we will always work closely with the community to ensure we achieve this and to tackle this activity which can often lead to anti-social behaviour in neighbouring areas.” 

Op Centurion is a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by the Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.