Trading Standards Operation

Trading Standards Operation

In response to community concerns, on Monday 19th October 2026, officers from the Wakefield District Neighbourhood Policing Teams participated in a joint operation with Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service targeting the illegal sales of fireworks, cigarettes and tobacco.

One premise in Pontefract town centre and another in South Elmsall were visited and illegal products with a retail value of over £46,000 were identified and seized. Two vehicles suspected to be used in this type of criminality were also seized by Police. The sales of these dangerous and prohibited items are now being investigated by Trading Standards.

West Yorkshire Police remain committed to working in partnership to tackle the illegal sales of products which are having such a detrimental effect within our communities. Police will also continue to work with these premises to prevent the continuation of this criminality. Should these illegal sales not stop, then applications to the Magistrate Court for closure orders will be considered.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspected illegal sales directly to Trading Standards at https://www.wyjs.org.uk/contact-us/ or via West Yorkshire Police at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it