Thousands of illegal vapes seized in police raids

Thousands of suspected counterfeit and potentially harmful vapes have been recovered in Rotherham over the past year.

South Yorkshire Police worked with council officers to seize £560,000-worth of products that were unfit for sale in 2024.

The items could also be funding potential criminal activity, a police spokesperson warned.

"These vapes are undercutting legitimate businesses and unfortunately sometimes find their ways into the hands of children," Insp John Crapper said.

After shops selling unsafe vapes were identified, Rotherham Council's trading standards officers confiscated the products and oversaw prosecution of the vendors.

Andrew Bramidge, the council's strategic director of regeneration and environment, said: "Illicit tobacco and vapes, many with added synthetic hazardous chemicals in them, can be associated with significant health problems for users, along with funding potential criminal activity."

Mr Bramidge said the council and police would continue to focus on tackling the sale of unsafe vapes.

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