Police seize £11k of illegal vapes and tobacco from two Malvern shops

Illegal vapes and tobacco worth nearly £11,000 have been seized from two shops in Malvern, police have said.

Almost £9,000 of goods were found on display at King Vape in Malvern Link and £2,000 of illegal and non-duty paid tobacco were discovered at The Yellow Shop in the town centre.

West Mercia Police carried out the operation in conjunction with Worcestershire Trading Standards on Wednesday.

Further action will now be taken against the two shops as officers work with Malvern Hills District Council to prosecute the offenders, a Trading Standards spokesperson said.

"The sale of illegal vapes and tobacco is often linked to organised crime and the operation on Wednesday will both be disruptive to these gangs but also it will stop the sale of them to children and adults," Insp Dave Wise said.

"We attended these two premises following intelligence received from members of our community who do not want criminal activity in our town.

"I continue to ask people to share any information or concerns they have to the police."