Smethwick shop caught selling fake vapes and alcohol without a licence
A shop was caught selling alcohol without a licence alongside fake cigarettes and vapes in a recent sting.
West Midlands Police caught Mini Stop Express in Hagley Road, Smethwick, stocking alcohol without permission and selling it without a licence alongside counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes and vapes.
The force said the shop had shown a “blatant disregard” for the Licensing Act and would still be selling the fake and illegal items if officers had not intervened.
Sandwell Council’s licensing committee will meet on July 29 to decide whether to grant the shop an alcohol licence.
The application asks for permission to sell alcohol every day between 9.30am and 3am – despite the shop already stocking and selling beer and spirits. Police said the shop was “fully aware” it did not have a licence to sell alcohol.
West Midlands Police and Sandwell Council’s enforcement officers have objected to the application for the new licence over concerns that the prevention of crime and disorder as well as public safety would be “undermined.”
A response by West Midlands Police to the application said: “The shop has shown a blatant disregard for licensing legislation, is committing offences under the [Licensing Act] and is even selling other illegal items.
“The sale of counterfeit/illicit items is not only a criminal offence but it raises a further concern that the premises is undermining the public safety objective contained within the act.
“The shop causes serious concerns and as such West Midlands Police contend that the application for a premises licence should be refused.
“I have no doubt from the amount of alcohol displayed on site, that alcohol has already been sold at this shop and had officers from West Midlands Police and the council not attended, the alcohol would still be being sold.”
