A North East convenience store has been hit with a closure order after selling illegal and counterfeit cigarettes to children.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) secured a three-month closure order for the Costcutter store at 31 Havelock Street, Thornaby at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday, 28 March).

Several complaints regarding the shop's sales of counterfeit cigarettes made to SBC, Cleveland Police and Crimestoppers were heard by the court.

Adding to this, these complaints included the shop selling illegal cigarettes to children.

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After investigating, the council found evidence that illicit and counterfeit products were being sold.

Speaking on the decision, Ann Workman, the Council’s Director of Adults and Health said: “Counterfeit cigarettes pose a big risk to communities because it’s very difficult to know what is in them and it’s incredibly worrying that such cigarettes are being sold to people, particularly to children.

“I’m pleased our trading standards officers have been able to secure a closure order today.

"I’d like to thank them for their hard work and the work of our partner organisations, Cleveland Police and CrimeStoppers, to get the maximum closure of three months.

“I’d also encourage local people to report any sales of illicit tobacco to us so we can take the necessary action.”

Meanwhile, test purchases confirmed that illicit cigarettes were being sold from the shop, and were purchased during an underage sales test purchase.

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A Cleveland Police Spokesperson, said: “We are always happy to support our colleagues at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

"Our partnership approach keeps our communities safe and benefits the people living in our area and yesterday’s closure order is a great example of our collaborative work”.

Anyone with information on the supply of illicit tobacco from any business or residential premises across Stockton-on-Tees Borough can contact the Council’s Trading Standards team on 01642 526560 or email trading.standards@stockton.gov.uk.