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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Serious and Organised Crime, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. A significant haul of illicit cigarettes, tobacco, illegal vapes and counterfeit goods worth more than £130k were seized across retail premises in East Leeds, during a multi-agency day of action held on Monday 18th August 2025.
The Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted the day of action alongside West Yorkshire Trading Standards and Leeds City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Team (LASBT), in which a total of eight retail premises were visited and resulted in positive seizures from each one.
A total of £137,000.00 worth of illicit tobacco was seized with 6,260 x 20 packets of cigarettes, 419 packets of 50g hand rolling tobacco products, 900 illegal vapes & 74 counterfeit Labubu dolls.
Seven of the stores were handed immediate closure notices by LASBT during the day of action to prevent them from trading, until a court review was held the following day (Tuesday 19th August 2025).
On Tuesday 19th August 2025, Kirklees Magistrates Court issued a four-week closure order for one of the retail premises, preventing them from Trading. A further court date has been set for later in August for the remaining retail premises and the outcomes of the hearings will be communicated once held and finalised.
Linda Davis, Head of Trading Standards Protecting Communities said:
“I would like to thank all the partners involved and members of the public for reporting illegal sales and encourage everyone to continue doing so to reduce the harm caused by tobacco in our communities.
“Far from being a victimless crime, the illegal trade in tobacco costs government billions each year in lost revenue, makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families, and helps fund organised crime.”
Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Policing Team lead Sergeant Bradley said:
“West Yorkshire Police and partners continue to tackle criminality within local communities and will utilise all powers available to them to prevent offending and reassure the public. The tactic used in this operation providing immediate closure has never been utilised in Leeds District and shows the continued efforts to utilise all powers available at Police and partner agencies disposal.
“We are sending out a clear and strong message that law enforcement and the communities of East Leeds will not tolerate this type of criminality and hope that this acts as a deterrent for anyone considering being involved in such criminality.
“Protecting our communities is a priority and we continue to actively work alongside partner agencies, third sector agencies and communities, to keep communities safe for all.
“None of us want to see organised crime in our neighbourhoods and I encourage residents to keep contacting us via 101 or our online reporting methods, with any information which can help us disrupt criminal activity and the sale of illegal goods. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.”
 If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Get Involved Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
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