Central Supermarket in Thetford ordered to closed by police

Vapes were sold to children by Central Supermarket in Thetford amid a “concerning upturn” in their use at a local school. 

The shop has now been issued with a three-month closure notice after officers seized thousands of vapes with puffs between 3,500 and 10,000.

Central Supermarket in White Hart Street, Thetford (Image: Google Street View)

Illegal cigarettes were seized along with the vapes which should have a legal limit of 600 puffs.

In a hearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, a statement was given to the court from a parent whose 14-year-old child admitted using 9,000 puff vapes bought from Central Supermarket. 

They said that they have “grave concerns for the mental wellbeing and health of their child as they, the child, are now addicted to the use of vapes”. 

The court was also handed a statement from a local school that said they “had seen a very worrying and concerning upturn in the use of vapes by students over the last two years and in particular in the last six months”. 

The business was issued with a three month closure notice after officers seized thousands of illegal products (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The statement also said that “the use of vapes had been affecting pupils’ behaviour and their ability to concentrate on learning due to being addicted to the use of them”. 

Students, some as young as 11, had admitted that most of the vapes confiscated by teachers had been bought from Central Supermarket.  

PC Ray Kurn, from Norfolk's Constabulary's Operational Partnership Team in Breckland, added in court papers: “The sale of illegal vapes is disturbing and the sale to children is utterly abhorrent and this has been shown time and time again from Central Supermarket with no sign of stopping.  

“This application is being sought to stop this continuing.  

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)“There is clear evidence from Trading Standards, the local school, local businesses and parents that nuisance, disorder and criminal behaviour has occurred as a result of the actions of the Central Supermarket.” 

The application for the order was applied for by Norfolk Constabulary and supported by Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards Team and Breckland District Council. 

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, added: “The Closure Order sends another clear signal that organisations with enforcement responsibilities across Norfolk work effectively together to take positive action to protect public health and address the illegal trading of vapes and vaping products and their illegal sale to children and young people under 18.”