Kent’s First-Ever Shop Closure Over Illegal Ciggies and Antisocial Chaos
A Chatham convenience store has become the first business in Kent to face a closure order, slammed shut over illegal tobacco sales and chronic antisocial behaviour.
Medway Police Shut Down Chatham Express
Chatham Express on High Street was slapped with the closure order on Tuesday, 30 June 2020, after Kent Police’s Medway Community Safety Unit took the matter to Folkestone Magistrates’ Court.
Typically, these orders target trouble-hit homes linked to drug dealing or rowdy behaviour. This is the first case banning access to a retail shop. The closure lasts until 8 September 2020, and anyone caught flouting it faces fines or arrest.
Illicit Cigarettes Seized Amid Antisocial Mayhem
- Repeated antisocial incidents connected to the store triggered the crackdown.
- A search on 11 June uncovered 900 boxes of illegally imported cigarettes, all seized for destruction.
- This marks the fourth major tobacco seizure from the store since 2018.
- In total, police have confiscated over 8,000 cigarette packets and 400 tobacco pouches from the business.
Police Vow to Clean Up Chatham
“This store was closely linked to a huge amount of antisocial behaviour in Chatham,” said Sergeant Steve Holpin of the Medway Community Safety Unit. “Despite repeated visits from our officers, the situation failed to improve.”
“We listened carefully to the concerns of people visiting the town and businesses in the area, and could not allow the issues to go unchallenged. As this case shows, we will always use the full remit of our powers to resolve an issue and take proportionate action against anyone involved in antisocial behaviour.”
“I am confident this result will have a positive impact on the surrounding area.”
