60,000 illegal cigarettes seized in Dewsbury ‘day of action’

Illegal cigarettes worth tens of thousands of pounds have been smoked out in a ‘day of action’ on Thursday (February 3) in Dewsbury.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police have seized 60,000 illegal cigarettes from a location as they carried out patrols in the town centre, partnering with Safer Kirklees and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The cigarettes, which are thought to be worth around £30,000, were passed on to Trading Standards for further investigation and potential prosecution of those involved.

“Illegal goods such as these can often be linked to organised crime, and a full investigation into the matter is taking place,” Sergeant Rich Teal, of the Dewsbury Town Centre Team, said, adding that they have more operations in the pipeline.

The multi-agency Dewsbury Town Centre Team was launched in 2020, along with a sister unit in Huddersfield.

With the  patrols on the ‘day of action’, the team tries to deter street drinking and anti social behaviour as well as tackling issues including rogue landlords, premises safety, and illegal business activity.

Kirklees Council said it is committed to funding the team whose visible presence aims to reduce crime, protect the vulnerable and increase residents and visitors satisfaction.

Councillor Carole Pattison, Cabinet Member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: “60,000 illegal cigarettes being confiscated is a considerable amount and we can confidently say that this has caused huge disruption to this illegal economy.

“This day of action, and the ones which will follow, are vital to tackling issues which are important to residents, shop owners and visitors to Dewsbury Town Centre. We know more work is needed, we will not be complacent, and we will continue to work hard to ensure everyone who lives, visits or works in Dewsbury Town Centre feels safe and is safe.”