The Community Safety Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, to review reports on illicit tobacco and product safety, the committee's work programme, and the Prevent annual report. These discussions will provide an overview of the council's activities and future plans in these critical areas.

Illicit Tobacco and Product Safety Activity 2025-26

The committee is scheduled to receive a report from Mark Keal, Head of Trading Standards, detailing the activity undertaken by Lincolnshire Trading Standards in relation to illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, and product safety during the 2025-26 financial year. The report outlines the structure of the Trading Standards Illicit Tobacco and Product Safety Team, its funding, and the challenges posed by illicit products.

Illicit tobacco products are described as being widely available in Lincolnshire, often sold through small convenience stores that exhibit specific characteristics, such as sparse legitimate stock and obscured shop windows. These products take three forms: illicit white cigarettes, counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, and non-duty paid genuine products smuggled from abroad. The report highlights the significant price difference between illicit and legitimate tobacco products, noting that the cheapest pack of 20 cigarettes available on Tesco's website on 7 April 2026 was £13.00, compared to illicit products selling for between £3 and £7.

Since June 2025, only rechargeable, refillable vapes with replaceable heating coils are permitted for sale under the Environmental Protection (Single-Use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024. However, disposable vapes are still being routinely sold in shops associated with illicit tobacco sales. The report suggests that organised crime groups are likely behind the importation, distribution, and supply of these illicit products and illegal vapes, with many linked to other forms of criminality.

The report details why enforcement is necessary, citing the risk of fires due to illicit cigarettes failing ignition propensity tests, detriment to legitimate businesses, undermining of Stop Smoking initiatives, and the higher likelihood of sellers of illegal products selling to young people under 18. It also notes that premises selling illegal products are often located in areas where the public feels at risk of crime and are operated by organised criminal gangs.

The report outlines the evolving strategy for enforcement, moving from historical reliance on prosecution to a more disruptive approach. This includes working with landlords to remove tenants operating illegally, which has shown demonstrable results in reducing anti-social behaviour and violent crime in targeted areas. The current strategy builds on lessons learned and involves partnership working with Lincolnshire Police, focusing on high-risk areas identified through crime statistics and public reports. Enforcement actions include Closure Orders, investigation and prosecution, Proceeds of Crime actions, and Landlord Liaison.

Closure Orders, made under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, can be issued if premises are found to be causing nuisance. The report details the evidence used in these applications, including hearsay evidence, test purchasing, seizures, and intelligence reports. The number of Closure Orders applied for has increased dramatically since 2023, exceeding 140 separate orders. The report also highlights the importance of Landlord Liaison, with landlords being notified of criminal activity and the potential for money laundering offences if they continue to receive rental payments from offending businesses.

The report also covers Proceeds of Crime actions, partnership working with Lincolnshire Police and Immigration Enforcement, and the service's approach to product safety. It details intelligence gathered on tobacco, vapes, and age-restricted sales, as well as enforcement activity in these areas. The report concludes by outlining challenges and opportunities, including the potential introduction of an exhibits officer and the securing of additional funding for apprenticeships.

Community Safety Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to review its work programme for the coming year. This item, presented by Hannah Colclough, Scrutiny Officer, provides an opportunity for members to consider and comment on the content of the programme to ensure that scrutiny activity is focused where it can be of greatest benefit. The report outlines current and planned items for future meetings, including the Illicit Tobacco/Vaping and Product Safety Activity for 2024-2025, the Prevent Annual Report, Service Level Performance Reporting, and updates on the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership's Strategy. Future planned items include reports from the HM Senior Coroner, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's Statement of Assurance, Trading Standards Food Standards and Metrology activity, and updates on grant funding to Citizens Advice Lincolnshire. The committee is invited to highlight any additional scrutiny activity that could be considered for inclusion in the work programme.

Prevent Annual Report

The committee is scheduled to review the Prevent Annual Report, presented by Clare Newborn, Head of Community Safety Service, and Richard Clare, Strategic Prevent Lead. This report provides an update on Prevent activity in Lincolnshire during the 2025/26 period and outlines intentions for the coming year, ensuring members are aware of Prevent as a statutory duty.

The report notes that the UK faces a continuing threat from terrorism, with the National Threat Level currently assessed as Substantial. The Counter Terrorism Local Profile (CTLP) for Lincolnshire identified predominant ideological concerns including Al Qaeda/Islamic-State extremism and self-initiated terrorism, with a noted reduction in risk from Extreme Right-wing Terrorism partly due to the cancellation of plans for a migrant centre at RAF Scampton. Lincolnshire is classified as a low risk, low priority Prevent area by the Home Office.

The report details the Prevent Strategy, which is part of the UK Government's CONTEST strategy, aimed at reducing the threat from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This involves tackling ideological causes, intervening early to support those susceptible to radicalisation, and enabling disengagement and rehabilitation. The report highlights the multi-agency partnership group that oversees Prevent in Lincolnshire, chaired by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, with representation from various agencies.

The Prevent Steering Group Delivery Plan focuses on risks identified in the CTLP and includes actions for compliance, training, and improving partner involvement. The report also addresses online resilience, noting that online radicalisation is a significant risk, and LCC's training has been adapted to incorporate these risks. Workshops for safeguarding neurodivergent young people are also highlighted.

A lesser-known sub-category within Prevent, fascination with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks (FEV/MC), has gained national attention, leading to an increase in referrals. The report details Lincolnshire County Council's role in delivering Prevent, including dedicated staff and training provision. The Home Office Benchmark Assessment for Lincolnshire's compliance with the Prevent Duty scored 5 Exceeds and 1 Met, with no significant areas for improvement identified.

The report also covers training provided to LCC staff, schools, and commissioned service providers, as well as the Channel programme, which offers support to individuals identified as susceptible to being drawn into terrorism. The report notes a significant increase in Prevent referrals and Channel cases across the region. National developments, including recommendations from Lord Anderson's report and the Home Affairs Select Committee, are also summarised, suggesting potential revisions to the Prevent Duty Guidance. The report concludes by assuring the committee that the council manages its duties under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act well.