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Partners in Watford have been working together to ensure the town’s businesses are trading legally and abiding by the terms of their licences.
The Community Safety Unit (CSU) based at Watford Police Station, Hertfordshire’s Trading Standards (TS) team, and the licensing team at Watford Borough Council have carried out spot checks on more than 80 businesses to ensure each one is complying with trading laws, as well as the terms of their premises licences.
Among the items seized were large quantities of tax-evaded and illegal vapes, cigarettes, rolling tobacco, counterfeit clothing, and alcohol.
Between 1 April and 30 June this year, 65% of businesses visited were found to have broken the terms of their license, resulting in the seizure of illegal products.
Many of the premises inspected were found to have hidden illicit stock in several places including behind the till, in roof spaces, offices and vehicles. All goods seized were signed over for destruction and several premises’ licences will be recommended for review.
Jo Tomkins, Police Senior Licensing Officer in the CSU, said: “We work closely with our partners at Hertfordshire Trading Standards to enforce the terms and conditions of the premises licences in Watford and to ensure they are trading safely and legally. Businesses in Watford have a responsibility and duty of care to their customers and the wider community. They should not be involved in activities that exacerbate local crime levels and undermine the licensing objectives.
“Unfortunately, people rarely think about the hidden cost of illicit cigarettes or alcohol, as they often finance organised crime. We will continue to pursue those who commit tobacco fraud and avoid paying tax.”
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: "When businesses fail to comply with the rules so they can avoid tax, or sell illicit or counterfeit goods, they let their customers and the community down. They also make life harder for the businesses in our town who do follow the rules.
“We work closely with Hertfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Trading Standards to make sure premises in Watford are complying with the conditions on their licences and are trading safely. Where we find that unlicensed activities are being carried out, we will investigate and take appropriate enforcement action.”
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Trading Standards said: “If you suspect that a premises is trading illegally, email as much information as possible to [email protected]. It will then be passed to the local Trading Standards Officer for review.”