“Dodgy shops need to be stopped” - rallying call from fed up traders over "blatant criminality"
Calls for “blatant criminality” at “dodgy shops” to be stopped
“Dodgy shops need to be stopped”.
That’s the rallying cry from traders and a Portsmouth MP as fed up locals demand more action against rogue traders using shops as a cover for “blatant criminality”.
Honest retailers have been left feeling the pinch while unscrupulous shops have been accused of exploiting children and profiting from their unruly gains, while officials have urged the public to report criminal behaviour.
Police and Trading Standards officers have carried out a number of inspections in recent months resulting in illegal tobacco and vapes being seized.
In January, illegal tobacco was seized from four vehicles linked to Kingston Mini Market, New King Mart and Bucharest Shop, with officers also removing illicit vapes, shisha products and unsafe toys from premises including Albert Food Store, Highland Mini Market, Vape City and Pompey Blues.
In total, officers seized an estimated £29,500 worth of illegal goods, including £2,600 of single‑use vapes, £21,300 of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes, and £5,600 of counterfeit hand‑rolling tobacco.
In March, The Bucharest Shop in London Road, North End, was shut down following the crackdown on illicit tobacco sales.
Councillor Lee Hunt, the city council’s cabinet member for community safety, leisure and sport, previously said of the raids: “This operation sends a clear message that illegal tobacco, illicit vapes and unsafe living conditions will not be tolerated in Portsmouth.
“Our officers and partners acted swiftly to protect residents and ensure these dangerous products were removed from our streets. We will continue to take robust action against any business putting profits before people’s safety.”
‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
But traders believe this is just the tip of the iceberg with more needed to be done. One city shop owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, told The News: “You see these vape shops or barbers and there’s no one in there. There’s no way they can make money after paying their staff and business rates.
“There’s someone I know in a newsagents and he’s starving because the dodgy vape shops are giving everything away a lot cheaper. It’s very bad.
“One place tried to set up as a barbers but no one went there, so they set up as a vape shop and put a cash machine in there…I doubt they’re processing the money through the right banking system.
“These shops have an owner and then staff who are on benefits, and yet you see them driving the best cars. They can obviously afford them with the high margins they make. I can’t even afford a car.
“The law in this country is for criminals, not for us taxpayers. We get hammered and (they) get away with it.”
Southsea retailer Merlin Pitt, who owns Actually Merlin Vintage in Albert Road, said “organised crime is allowed to whitewash money”. He said: “It’s such a shame blatant organised crime is allowed. It’s like it’s okay (to have it), but it’s not okay.
“There’s empty shops that are a hollow shell that are making lots of money. It’s so easy to see what’s happening. They're selling illegal cigarettes under the counter and are involved in other criminality. It’s all so crooked.
“They need to be stopped. People object to some of these stores opening but the council still allows them to open. Landlords are taking the money too so they should be blamed as well.
“These places keep popping up and nothing is done about it. You have all these vape and fizzy drink shops everywhere when you only need one.”
Merlin says high streets are “dying” as a result. “We need lots of funky independent shops like it used to be. I’ve noticed in the two years I’ve been here it’s got a lot quieter, there’s a lot more scumbags and more robberies,” he said.
Phillip Jennings, 83, who lives near a vape shop, said: “The shop is known for selling dodgy tobacco. You see them putting illegal tobacco in cars parked up or around the corner. I’ve seen them going into the back of another shop to hide stuff when the owner’s out the way.
“These criminal networks have to be stopped.”
Another person alleged that criminals sell vapes to under-age children.
Political pressure
The awareness of “dodgy shops” is on the rise with MP Stephen Morgan banging the drum to stamp out the growing scourge, with him encouraging people to join his campaign. The Portsmouth South MP has a large sign in the window of his office in Albert Road saying: “Stop dodgy shops.”
Mr Morgan has also backed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which he believes will “go some way in addressing the challenges in our city’s high streets”.
The MP told The News he intends to build community support to crack down on rogue traders and protect Portsmouth’s shopping streets.
The “landmark” bill has a series of measures implemented that will address the recent rise in illicit practices concerning the sale of tobacco and vape products, including the sale of illegal products and the sale of products to children in Portsmouth.
Although selling nicotine vapes to under 18s is illegal, illicit businesses across Britain have contributed to a doubling in youth vaping in the last five years by choosing to sell to children, the MP said.
To add your name to this petition, and share suggestions for further action to prohibit and prosecute illicit activity across Portsmouth’s shopping streets, click here.
Crucial measures within the Tobacco and Vapes Bill supports Mr Morgan’s crackdown on dodgy shops by enabling Trading Standards to issue fixed penalty notices to businesses for breaches of restrictions. There is also a ban on all vaping and nicotine products from being sold to under 18s, closing loopholes on non-nicotine vapes and nicotine pouches.
Mr Morgan said: “In recent years we have seen rogue traders taking advantage of loopholes or weak enforcement within our city. This has unfortunately included illicit vape shops selling unsafe products to young people.
“I have launched my “Stop Dodgy Shops” campaign to address serious community issues like this that are continuing the cycle of addiction and endangering our city’s children.
“The government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which I am proud to back, is crucial in tackling this issue head on, providing much needed measures to finally hold businesses to account for the illicit sale of tobacco and vape products.”
Police action
Police officers have pledged to deal with criminality ‘robustly’ and urged members of the public to come forward with information about illegal activity.
Portsmouth Chief Inspector Sam Warne said: “The sale of illegal vapes and tobacco is not tolerated in Portsmouth, and anyone found to be involved in this criminal behaviour will be dealt with robustly, offending stores may be closed and illegal items will be seized.
“We work in partnership with Hampshire Trading Standards to address the risk that these illegal products pose to our communities by targeting offenders and removing the items from our streets.”
“We encourage anyone who has been sold products of this nature, or anyone who believes an establishment to be selling illegal tobacco or vape products to please report this to us, so that this can be investigated further.”
Council action
A Portsmouth City Council spokesperson said: "We know residents are concerned about shops selling illegal cigarettes and vapes, and we share those concerns. Trading Standards officers are actively investigating this across the city, using information from the public and working closely with the police and partner organisations.
“This work regularly leads to illegal goods being seized and action being taken against those involved, including court action and the closure of premises where necessary. Our focus is on protecting public health, keeping people safe and supporting legitimate businesses.
“New legislation, the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, will give councils stronger powers to tackle illegal trading. Business rates are a national tax and sit outside Trading Standards’ enforcement role."
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said: “No child in a playground or hospital patient should suffer because someone else chooses to smoke.
“Second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer and we want to protect children and the sick from harm.
“Prevention is better than cure, so this government is taking pressure off the NHS and building a healthier Britain where everyone lives well for longer.”