Police and trading standards seize 750 illegal vapes during swoops across Rochdale

The trade in dodgy vapes puts vulnerable children at risk of exploitation, say officials

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Officials have seized hundreds of illegal vapes during a series of swoops at shops in Rochdale.

The joint operation by GMP Rochdale's 'Complex Safeguarding Team' (CST) and Rochdale Council's trading standards department, saw officers seize 750 illegal vapes said to be worth £9000 following visits to four retailers in the borough.

Officials say the trade in illegal vapes puts vulnerable children at risk from criminals and sexual exploitation.

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The limit of puffs in a legal vape is 600 or 700, and any device exceeding this cannot have been been tested and so is considered harmful.

Most of the vapes seized were 3,500 puffs or above.

"Not only are these illegal vapes harmful to health, but they also put children at risk of criminal exploitation and child sexual exploitation," said GMP.

They went on: "The flavours of these vapes are attractive to children and the levels of nicotine in them are highly addictive, meaning children are also being coerced into criminal activity and sexual exploitation, to enable them to continue using them."

Detective Constable Chris Davies, of Rochdale's CST, said: "We have been running Op Vigilant on a monthly basis - a multi-agency response to child exploitation - since 2021 and during these days of action, we visit premises around Rochdale to act on intelligence that GMP has been provided with.

"We have been out with trading standards and we have focused on illegal vapes being sold in petrol stations, newsagents and other retail outlets. We are committed to being proactive in our work and uncovering any activity that may lead to CCE and CSE."

Rochdale Council cabinet member, Coun Liam O'Rourke, said: "We are again, really impressed with the work carried out by our trading standards team, assisted by GMP.

"As a result, over 750 illegal vapes, worth around £9,000, were seized from several retailers throughout the borough of Rochdale. The team had previously warned all retailers about the consequences of selling illegal vapes."All of the vapes seized were well above the permitted size, and the retailers will now be subject to further investigation."

No information was provided about any action taken against the retailers concerned.