Seven shops given closure orders over vapes

31 December 2025

Mariam Issimdar

News image — Police inspected shops in Peterborough and Whittlesey over concerns about vapes, tobacco and alcohol licences

Cambs Police Two police officers wearing hats and high-vis vests examine some vapes on a shelf in a shop which is also selling medicines and other pharmacy goods.. — Police inspected shops in Peterborough and Whittlesey over concerns about vapes, tobacco and alcohol licences

Police have issued closure orders to seven shops over the illegal sale of goods such as vapes as part of an operation into organised crime and money laundering.

Cambridgeshire Police said premises across Peterborough and Whittlesey were found to be breaking various laws including selling non-compliant vapes and illicit tobacco products, as well as alcohol when not licensed to do so.

Officers carried out the operation with Peterborough City Council and the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement in October.

Five shops were ordered to close temporarily, while two were given partial closure orders, meaning they can remain open but cannot sell items including tobacco, vapes or alcohol.

Cambs Police Police officer pins a notice to a shop window which says it is an offence to enter the shop which has been issued a closure notice. The notice said this was being carried out to protect the community from anti-social behaviour and drugs — Police said several shops were closed after officers found illegal vapes or alcohol being sold without a licence

The force said the closures followed a wider three-week operation to counteract money laundering and organised crime and 36 businesses were visited.

The shops served closure orders were:

Euro Plus in Lincoln Road, Peterborough – full closure between 8 December and 8 March

Whittlesey Mini Market, in Broad Street – full closure between 8 December and 8 March

Euro Shop, in Lincoln Road, Millfield – partial closure between 9 December and 8 March, prohibiting it from selling tobacco products and cigarettes during this period

Gaffy Food Store, in Newark Avenue, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough – full closure between 3 December and 14 January

Hana Express in Burghley Road, Peterborough city centre – partial closure between 3 December and 3 March, prohibiting it from selling vapes, cigarettes, and alcohol during this period

International Food Centre, in Lincoln Road, Peterborough city centre – full closure between 18 December and 22 January

International, in Fitzwilliam Street, Peterborough city centre – full closure between 11 December and 15 January

Det Insp Shish Thind said: "I hope this shows the community that we are working to combat money laundering and its associated organised criminality.

"During the periods of these orders, we will monitor them closely to ensure all conditions are being adhered to, and any breaches will be dealt with robustly."

The force said a further three firms were issued with community protection warnings.

Any further breaches would result in additional action against them, it added.

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