Illicit tobacco and vape possession offences - Find a freedom of information request

1.   How many prosecutions have been sought by Trading Standards against retailers for a) illicit tobacco and vape sales b) underaged tobacco and vape sales in your local authority, in the last five years (2019 to 2024)? 

2.   Whether there is a minimum number of illicit tobacco and vape possession offences a retailer must have received before prosecution is sought? If so, what is the minimum number?
 

3.   Whether there is a minimum quantity of illicit tobacco and vape products Trading Standards officers must seize from a retailer before prosecution is sought? If so, what is the minimum quantity?
 

4.   Whether there is a minimum value of illicit tobacco and vape products Trading Standards officers must seize from a retailer before prosecution is sought? If so, what is the minimum value? 
 

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. Please see attached table – based on retailers only, from the date of sentence.

2-4. A decision to procced to prosecution is based on a number of factors including the circumstances of the offence, prior history, proportionality, fairness and consistency, the public interest and codes such as The Code for Crown Prosecutors. Our Prosecution and Enforcement Sanctions Policy explains how we make our decisions in respect of any potential legal proceedings. This should be read with the Service Compliance and Enforcement Policy. Both policies can be found here https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/directoryrecord/61717/trading-standards-prosecution-and-enforcement-sanctions-policy