A shop in Dereham which sold illegal vapes has been ordered to close.

The Green Shop in Norwich Street is the first-ever store in Norfolk to receive a closure order for selling illegal vapes. 

The notice was served on Monday following four visits over seven months from Norfolk Trading Standards and Norfolk Constabulary.

READ MORE: Two arrested after thousands of pounds worth of drugs found

Thousands of illegal vapes, alongside tobacco, cigarettes,  Nitrous Oxide Substance (NOS) canisters, THC rolls and very strong alcohol were seized during those visits.

Officers also seized a number of Class C drugs on October 12 and a man in his 20s was arrested and bailed.

On another occasion, officers discovered a large compartment concealed under the floor filled with illegal products.

Police also confirmed that children as young as 11 were sold vapes from The Green Shop.

READ MORE: Two people charged with multiple drug offences

Norfolk Constabulary applied for the order with support from Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards Team and Breckland District Council.

A three-month closure order was granted after a hearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

PC Natalie Cooper from the Breckland Operational Partnership Team said: “The anti-social behaviour attracted by this shop has had a significant negative impact on the local community and by getting this closure order granted we are able to give some respite to people living in Dereham.”

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, of Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, added: “Illegal vapes, such as those seized during these visits, pose a public health risk because they often have excessively high levels of nicotine which are over the legal limits, making them highly addictive and harmful to health.”