Six arrests and £80,000 of illegal vapes seized in Stockport

Illegal vapes worth £80,000 have been seized in Stockport during a joint operation by Greater Manchester Police and Trading Standards officers from the council on a day where six arrests were made.

Single-use vapes with more than the legal limit of liquid in the chamber were found at three different premises in the town centre and Edgeley on Thursday, September 21. Some of the seized items also showed incorrect health warnings.

Police also carried out 14 stop-searches, with arrests made for offences including burglary, theft, possession of a bladed article and breaching court orders. The operation was part of a day of action on theft, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour following concerns from residents.

Hundreds more illegal vapes were taken the following week when officers from Stockport’s West Neighbourhood Policing Team inspected another shop.

Boroughs across Greater Manchester are dealing with a number of problems connected to vaping, with some town halls considering bans. Last month, Salford announced plans to restrict vaping and smoking outside city schools and in park play areas. The Government has also launched a consultation on introducing national restrictions on single-use disposable vapes.

READ MORE: Government set to ban disposable vapes over child addiction fears

Coun Frankie Singleton, Stockport council's cabinet member for communities, culture and sport, said: “There is no place for unscrupulous vape sellers in Stockport. Unregulated vapes are deliberately and dangerously targeted at young people, damaging their health. Whilst the move away from smoking tobacco cigarettes by our youngsters is welcome news, there is clearly a new challenge with preventing their access to vapes.

“The seizures by our