Gateshead shop ordered to close over illegal tobacco and anti-social activities

A shop at the centre of repeated complaints for selling illegal tobacco has been closed by Gateshead Council, stated recent reports.

According to local reports, Ali Baba Shop on Coatsworth Road in the Benshame area has been the subject of numerous complaints from the public and adjoining shopkeepers over the sale of illegal tobacco, as well as anti-social behaviour.

Last week, Gateshead Council made a successful application at South Tyneside Magistrates Court for a Closure Order which will see the premises closed for the next three months. The premises will remain closed until October.

The closure notice was issued under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, which gives the police and council powers to shut down premises if they are satisfied that their use results in nuisance to the public or public disorder.

On two occasions in the past four months two large seizures were made when officers visited the premises with a tobacco detection dog which was able to identify sophisticated hidden devices.

“This kind of unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated. We will always use the powers available to use to stamp out the sale of illegal tobacco that is so harmful to our communities,” reports quoted councillor Linda Green, Gateshead Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Volunteering, as saying.

“We will continue to work closely with Northumbria Police to tackle the criminality and anti-social behaviour that sellers of illegal tobacco inevitably bring to the area.”