24/07/2026
I was very fortunate to join our highly professional West Yorkshire Trading Standards officers and their colleagues in Home Office Immigration Enforcement, HMRC and West Yorkshire Police as they raided these premises, in my role as a Member of West Yorkshire Joint Services
They are diligent, extremely hard-working and yet in the face of abuse and confrontation calm and thoughtful. I was very impressed at how through they are in ensuring no stone is left unsearched. Whilst you might not always see them, they're out every day, keeping us safe. And they're doing raids like this now twice a week! Every raid they're taking down not only the illegal shops but disrupting the big organised crime distributors, making it harder for the criminals to supply and make a profit and exploit the vulnerable.
If you think a shop is supplying vapes to children, or selling dodgy f**s too cheaply, drop them a tip. You might not seem them act, but they will follow it up. Every tip builds a picture they can use.
It might start with to***co, but it could (and has) end with human trafficking, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation. They don't care, but West Yorkshire Trading Standards do.
Thank you.
The Public Health Team at West Yorkshire Trading Standards were joined by officers from West Yorkshire Police and Home Office Immigration Enforcement who were out together in Bradford on Wednesday 22nd July for a day of targeted enforcement activity tackling the sale of illegal ci******es, hand-rolling to***co, vapes, and other illicit products.
2 Bradford businesses were inspected simultaneously alongside 4 warrants that were executed at 4 separate addresses across the District.
A significant quantity of illicit ci******es and to***co was seized, alongside a large quantity of cash and other unsafe products.
Illegal to***co and va**ng products don't just affect businesses—they can put our communities at risk. They are often sold cheaply, without proper age-verification checks, making it easier for children and young people to access them. They also undermine honest local retailers who play by the rules.
Operations like this show the positive impact that partnership working can have in protecting public health, supporting legitimate businesses, and making our neighbourhoods safer for everyone.
If you have information about a business near you selling illegal goods, you can report to West Yorkshire Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
💡 Ready to quit 🚬? Support is free and available at: yestoquit.co.uk
For details about information sessions for your education setting, community group or workplace, contact the Illicit To***co Education Officer: [email protected]
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