A VAPE shop selling illegal items to under age youngsters in Thurrock has been closed down.

Thurrock Council Trading Standards officers have secured a closure order against the shop that was found to be selling illegal vapes to potentially underage customers.

Basildon Magistrates granted a closure order against Vape-E-Licious on St Chads Road, Tilbury, during a hearing on Tuesday, 5 September.

Trading Standards Officers found and confiscated illegal vapes from the shop during a visit in June 2023 only to return to a few weeks later and find the business selling a supply of the illicit e-cigarettes from the boot of a car.

The shop also failed to ask for ID during a Challenge 25 test purchase, and even sold an illegal vape to the young person carrying out the test.

Inside the shop.

Cllr George Coxshall, cabinet member for mealth, adult social care, community and public protection, said: "This closure order will prevent an unscrupulous trader from selling illegal and potentially health damaging products in the borough.

"The fact that they would hide vapes they knew to be illegal and then attempt to sell them from the boot of a car shows flagrant disregard for the safety rules and the wellbeing of their customers.

"Our Trading Standards officers work hard to make sure that illicit goods are not available for sale in the borough. This is an example of the action they will take to prevent dangerous items from reaching residents and to make sure that underage children do not have access to potentially harmful products."

If anyone suspects a shop is selling tobacco or vape products to underage children they can report it at: thurrock.gov.uk/underage-sales/age-restrictions.

Concerns about unsafe products on sale, including illicit vapes, should be reported through the citizens advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.