ILLEGAL cigarettes and tobacco were seized during raids on shops in Boscombe.

Dorset Police and BCP Council's trading standards department joined forces to carry out targeted visits to premises believed to be involved in the supply of illegal products.

The shops are also thought to be linked to anti-social behaviour around their premises.

Officers seized 5,300 illegal cigarettes and several kilos of illegal tobacco worth around £4,000 and an investigation is ongoing.

They were also joined by council civil enforcement officers and the anti-social behaviour team.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “The initiative was intelligence-led based on calls we were receiving about activity and anti-social behaviour in the area. Our aim was to problem solve, understand the issues in the community and enforce where necessary.

“The operation was focussed primarily in the area of the Precinct and a number of dispersal notices were issued, parking tickets issued and a quantity of counterfeit goods seized.

“We continue to encourage members of the public to contact us should they have any concerns or information about what is happening in their community. Contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101."

They have urged people to look out for anything suspicious such as foreign-labelled or duty free tobacco or cigarettes not in standardised packaging.