"I would remind and urge anyone with concerns about shops and illegal sales to contact their local councillor or the council." Cllr Bill Blackett (Image: Sunderland City Council)The council's trading standards and community safety teams supported the closures with help from residents, Northumbria Police, and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit. "This type of criminality is often linked to much wider offending and organised crime groups." Cllr Blackett stressed the wider impact of the trade, including links to organised crime and the harm to legitimate businesses. Northumbria Police urged the public to continue reporting any information about illegal tobacco, vapes, or cigarette sales to help inform future investigations and enforcement.