A shop and adjoining residential properties in Swindon have been ordered to close for three months following a police operation that uncovered thousands of pounds worth of illicit tobacco.
Wiltshire Police confirmed that a closure order has been granted for Kubus Polski Sklep and neighbouring flats in Manchester Road following a warrant carried out on Monday.
The order, which is the maximum length currently permitted under the legislation, means only those specifically named within the order are allowed to enter the premises. Anyone else entering the building during the closure period could face criminal prosecution.
The action follows the seizure of approximately £15,000 worth of illicit tobacco from a residential property above the shop and from a linked vehicle during the warrant.
Two people arrested as part of the investigation have since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Neighbourhood officer PC Kash Hamid, from the Swindon Central South team, welcomed the court’s decision.
He said: “We are pleased that the court has granted the closure order today.
“This means both premises will remain closed until at least September, with a potential extension if there are grounds to do so, and any unauthorised entry during this period constitutes a criminal offence.
“Our teams will continue to patrol regularly in the area to ensure full compliance with the order.”
He also urged residents to continue reporting concerns relating to counterfeit and illicit goods.
“It remains vital that the public continues to report any concerns or information they have regarding suspected counterfeit or illicit goods,” he said.
“This allows us to utilise all available legal powers and we will continue to take effective and robust action to disrupt and eliminate this type of offending.”
Closure orders are used by police and local authorities to tackle premises linked to criminality or anti-social behaviour and can be extended if further evidence is presented to the courts.
Police enquiries into the alleged offences remain ongoing.
