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A Birkenhead town centre shop has been ordered to close for three months after officers discovered counterfeit toys, illegal tobacco and dangerous items being sold to under-18s.
As reported by the Wirral Globe, Birkenhead Bargains, which was a popular discount shop in Birkenhead town centre on Grange Road, was raided on October 6. Concerns were raised over the shop displaying BB guns and balaclavas, since the town centre has been at the centre of anti-social behaviour in recent months. Before it was a discount shop, it was an Iceland.
A dispersal order was introduced back in July for 2 days with increasing police patrols in the area.
The joint visit by Wirral Council Trading Standards and Merseyside Police resulted in the seizure of 1,340 illegal cigarette sticks, 0.6kg of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, 91 suspected counterfeit Pop Mart "Labubu" dolls that failed toy safety regulations, and large quantities of squishy toys and fidget spinners that did not meet safety requirements.
Officers also found that age-restricted products such as tobacco products, vapes, and even knives were being sold, scandalously with no safety measures to stop underage people purchasing them. The shop reportedly had no age verification signage or policies in place.
An inspection found one staff member say that BB guns could be sold to 16-year-olds, rather than the correct age of 18.
At Liverpool Magistrates' Court, Jamaluddin Sabir, the owner of Birkenhead Bargains, told the court he had "made mistakes" and requested a second chance. He stated he was unaware of the relevant legal requirements and his responsibilities as a business owner.
The court was satisfied that a serious public nuisance had occurred and imposed the maximum three-month closure order. Sabir was also ordered to pay £2,200 in costs.
Councillor Jenny Johnson, Chair of Wirral Council's Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee, said of the closure: "This case is a clear example of the important role the public can play to help tackle anti-social behaviour. It is significant that the court agreed activities at the premises were contributing to anti-social behaviour."
