Council urges drivers to report other motorists amid fears criminals exploit 'stash cars'

Motorists are being warned of a council crackdown on so-called "stash cars" in a bid to eradicate the sale of illegal tobacco.

Oxfordshire County Council has called on the public to report "stash cars" that may be harbouring illegally imported tobacco.

It follows a multi-agency operation to uncover two stash vehicles, with the council's trading standards team recently seizing illegal tobacco from two vehicles.

Parked vehicles are increasingly being used as stash cars for criminals to store illegal cigarettes and rolling tobacco.

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The council warned that these vehicles are often parked near local shops to enable sellers to replenish their stock in small amounts.

This tactic also allows them to avoid detection when trading standards officers are conducting inspections.

It stated that certain signs may be a clear indication that vehicles are being used as stash cars to transport and store illegal tobacco.

Oxfordshire County Council outlined that frequent and brief visits to retrieve small bags from the vehicle can be a telltale sign that it is a stash car.

Other signs include vehicles being parked for long periods near corner shops or vape stores that are regularly approached by staff.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco disadvantages legitimate local businesses, undermines efforts to reduce smoking and funds wider organised crime gangs.

"Unregulated counterfeit products also pose a heightened health risk, as they bypass strict safety standards on fire safety and are often sold cheaply to children by criminals who do not care about age restrictions."

Stash cars can also be identified if they appear abandoned on private land without tax and without a valid MOT certificate.

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Transactions taking place directly from the window or boot of a parked vehicle could also be a tip-off that it is being used as a stash car.

Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Operations Manager, said people can inform the team of any information anonymously.

She added: "If you see suspicious activity around vehicles near local shops, please tell us what you know.

"Your report can directly help keep our community safe and stub out the sale of these illegal products."

The council urged members of the public who have suspicions of potential stash cars not to confront suspected sellers.

Instead, they have been encouraged to report any suspicious activity, in addition to the make, model, registration number and location of the vehicle.

The council stated: "Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco and nicotine products should call 0300 999 6 999 to report it anonymously or visit stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk."

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