Watford police seize over 800 illegal vapes in raid

Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary were joined by Trading Standards and HMRC last week (October 22) as six premises were visited amid growing concerns about the sale of vapes to children.

Trading Standards seized vapes from two of the premises, with further investigation now needed.

More than 800 vapes were seized. (Image: Herts Police) Vapes are required to meet a range of criteria to be lawful, including appropriate labelling and health warning.

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The action also came after recent intelligence which police say appears to suggest that children are being sexually exploited in return for vapes.

There are fears that that children are being sexually exploited in return for vapes. (Image: Herts Police)

Sergeant Dan Piper from the Herts Police Halo team said: “Our team specifically investigates child sexual exploitation. As part of our investigations, we have learnt that children could be exploited in return for vapes. Although an adult may purchase the vape, they could then give this to a child in return for sexual acts."

"We spoke to a number of retailers to highlight the signs of child sexual exploitation and handed out leaflets to raise awareness.

"Signs to look out for include adults befriending young people and buying them things, noticing adults that attend locations with different young people, younger individuals hanging around locations and interacting with older people and younger people loitering late at night or at times when they should be at school or college for example."