Taxis pulled over in Swansea city centre safety crackdown

Marked police cars patrolled Swansea city centre last Friday night as part of a joint licensing operation targeting taxis and private hire vehicles.

The crackdown — dubbed Operation Beccles — was led by the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Licensing Team, working alongside Swansea Council’s taxi licensing officers. It coincided with the launch of Op Advent, a festive policing initiative focused on keeping the city centre safe, and Operation Chirk, which saw outstanding suspects brought into custody.

During the evening, officers identified Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles for spot checks at a designated inspection area.

In total, 17 vehicles were inspected.

• Three were issued stop notices, meaning they cannot operate until defects are fixed.
• One vehicle received a Section 60 notice, allowing a short grace period before suspension.

Checks included physical inspections and database searches via the Police National Computer to confirm driver legitimacy and licensing compliance.

“Safety is our top concern”

Sergeant James Ponting said:

“It is very important that anyone visiting Swansea city centre has assurance that their safety is of utmost concern when they use a taxi. This operation highlights the emphasis we place on community safety — we want people to enjoy the city centre and get home safely afterwards.”

Andrew Williams, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, added:

“Especially during the festive period, we want people to feel safe using taxis and private hire vehicles. The results of Operation Beccles show why it’s vital we take steps to ensure vehicles and drivers are fit for purpose.”

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Swansea restaurants fined after serving unsafe meals to allergy sufferers

Three Swansea restaurants have been fined thousands of pounds after investigations revealed they had served meals containing undeclared allergens to customers who had specifically warned staff about their allergies.

Trading Standards officers from Swansea Council carried out undercover sampling and inspections at Saporito Pizza and Grill House on Gower Road in Killay, Indian Street Kitchen on Walter Road in Swansea city centre, and Joyato Sushi and Grill on Salubrious Passage, off Wind Street in the city centre. In each case, staff gave false assurances about food safety, but laboratory analysis later confirmed the presence of allergens including gluten, milk and egg.

At Swansea Magistrates’ Court, all three owners admitted offences under the General Food Regulations 2004 and the Food Safety Act 1990, including placing unsafe food on the market and falsely describing menu items.

The penalties varied, but all were significant. The owner of Saporito Pizza and Grill House, Seckin Bulutoglu, was ordered to pay more than £2,000 in fines, surcharges and costs. At Indian Street Kitchen, Muminul Uddin faced a bill of over £2,300. The heaviest penalty was handed to Yanrui Yi, who runs Joyato Sushi and Grill, with fines and costs totalling close to £9,500.

Council officers said the breaches included mislabelled menu items, poor allergen management systems, and a lack of staff training.

Council: “No excuses”

Cllr Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Corporate Service (Performance), said the cases showed how dangerous poor allergen practices can be.

“These cases highlight the potentially fatal consequences of failing to manage allergens and provide accurate information to customers,” he said.

“All the businesses involved have no excuses, having received significant advice about staff training and the dangers associated with allergens.

“Swansea Council is committed to protecting public health and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against businesses that put consumers at risk.”

Warning to businesses and customers

The council is urging all food businesses to ensure staff are properly trained and that allergen information is accurate and up to date. Consumers are also advised to ask about allergens and, if in doubt, walk away.

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Swansea magistrates extend closure of vape shops in crackdown on illegal sales

Eight vape shops across Swansea will remain shut for up to three months after magistrates backed council action against the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco.

The closures follow Operation Ceecee & Marvel, a three‑day joint operation led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards with support from South Wales Police, HMRC, Home Office Immigration officers and tobacco detection dogs.

Raids lead to extended closures

Officers targeted 14 shops where earlier test purchases had confirmed illicit sales. Nine were issued with temporary 48‑hour closure notices while the council sought longer orders through the courts. Magistrates have now approved applications to extend the closure of eight shops, while the owner of the ninth has opted to shut down permanently.

The shops ordered to remain closed are:

• Morriston Mini Market, 86 Woodfield Street, Morriston
• Crystal Vapes, 95 High Street, Gorseinon
• World of Vapes, 89 St Teilo Street, Pontarddulais
• Bob Marley Vapes, 75 St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Asia Vapes, 40 St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Kubus Vapes, 31b St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Bob CBD Vapes, 29 Union Street, Swansea city centre
• Snoop Vapes, 71 High Street, Swansea city centre

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Illegal goods seized and arrests made

The raids led to the seizure of 971 packs of cigarettes, 970 packets of hand‑rolling tobacco and 2,292 vapes, with a combined retail value of more than £77,000. Five vehicles linked to the shops were also confiscated, and 11 people were arrested in connection with the sales.

Council and police warn of risks

Andrew Williams, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance), said:

“This council is taking the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco in Swansea very seriously. Our Trading Standards Team has made this issue a priority… I’m delighted that magistrates have supported our applications to extend the closure of eight shops in the city.”

Inspector Andrew Hedley, South Wales Police, added:

“Counterfeit tobacco and vapes are not only illegal, but they are incredibly dangerous for those who use them. These businesses were all given warnings to stop selling these items but disregarded them. They will now face prosecution for various offences as a result.”

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Nine Swansea vape shops shut down in major crackdown on illegal sales

Three‑day operation across the city

The closures followed a three‑day enforcement operation led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards team, supported by South Wales Police, HMRC, Home Office Immigration officers and specialist tobacco sniffer dogs.

Codenamed Operation Ceecee & Marvel, the crackdown targeted 14 shops across the city where earlier test purchases had already confirmed the sale of illicit products.

By the end of the week, nine premises had been shut down, 11 people arrested, and five vehicles linked to the trade seized.

Raids reveal hidden stashes

Among the shops raided was Bob Marley Vapes on St Helen’s Road, whose registered owner was jailed earlier this year for dealing in £100,000 worth of black‑market cigarettes and vapes. Despite that, the store had continued trading.

When officers returned last week, they found rucksacks and bags stuffed with illegal disposable vapes hidden in back rooms. Other shops were found to be using “stash cars” to store contraband, with one vehicle also containing cannabis products.

Shops closed during the operation included:

• Bob Marley Vapes, Asia Vapes and Kubus Vapes (St Helen’s Road)
• World of Vapes (Pontarddulais)
• Crystal Vapes (Gorseinon)
• Morriston Mini Market and Monsoon Vapes (Morriston)
• Snoop Vapes and Bob CBD Vapes (city centre)

Thousands of products seized

In total, officers confiscated:

• 971 packs of cigarettes (counterfeit value £4,855; retail value £15,000)
• 970 packets of hand‑rolling tobacco (counterfeit value £19,500; retail value £39,000)
• 2,292 vapes (estimated value £23,000)

All seized products will now be destroyed. Two of the shops have already been ordered by magistrates to remain closed for up to three months, with further hearings due next week.

Council: “Strong message to businesses”

Councillor Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance), said:

“Our Trading Standards Team has made this issue a priority and has been able to gather large amounts of intelligence in terms of which shops in the city have previously been selling illegal goods to consumers, including children.

The latest operation has been very successful in our efforts to disrupt this type of trade and hopefully it will send out a very strong message to other businesses in the city — that they have a duty to ensure they are trading legally and not putting consumers at risk.”

Police: “Dangerous and linked to organised crime”

Inspector Andrew Hedley of South Wales Police added:

“Counterfeit tobacco and vapes are not only illegal, but they are incredibly dangerous for those who use them. Counterfeit cigarettes are unregulated, dangerous and fund serious organised crime. The vapes seized do not comply with UK safety standards and can pose a risk to consumers’ health.

These businesses were all given warnings to stop selling these items but disregarded them. They will now face prosecution for various offences as a result.”

Community impact

The raids drew crowds on St Helen’s Road, where locals watched as officers carried out searches and seized goods. For residents, the operation was a visible sign of action against a black market that has been openly trading in parts of the city.

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Unsafe taxis pulled off Swansea’s streets in Freshers Week crackdown

Dozens of vehicles checked

As part of Operation Nepsara, officers from South Wales Police and licensing teams from Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Newport councils stopped more than 50 taxis and private hire vehicles over the weekend.

Of the 30 vehicles brought into the inspection area:

• 3 were issued warnings for low tyre tread and faulty lights.
• 4 were slapped with Stop Notices, forcing drivers to fix defects on the spot before carrying passengers again.
• 1 taxi was immediately banned from the road after inspectors discovered a dangerous broken suspension.

A further 22 vehicles were checked on the roads by the Safer Roads Team under Operation Night Owl.

Police: “Public safety comes first”

Sergeant James Ponting said:

“Freshers Week brings thousands of people into Swansea’s night‑time economy. The public must be able to trust the taxis they use. Taking unsafe vehicles off the road is about protecting lives.”

Council: “Trust in taxis is vital”

Cllr Andrew Williams, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, added:

“These checks are about safeguarding vulnerable people and making sure every journey home is safe. If a taxi isn’t roadworthy, it won’t be allowed to operate in our city.”

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Two new councillors join Swansea Council Cabinet in reshuffle

Councillors Rebecca Fogarty and Andrew Williams will share the new post of Corporate Services following a mini‑reshuffle prompted by the temporary absence of long‑serving Cabinet Member Robert Francis‑Davies, who is taking leave due to ill‑health.

Job share approach

Council leader Rob Stewart said the move reflected Swansea’s commitment to flexible leadership and resilience.

“We all want to wish Cllr Francis‑Davies a speedy recovery during his temporary leave of absence.

In the meantime, I want to welcome Cllr Fogarty and Cllr Williams to their new roles. By introducing a second job share post, we are embracing new ways of working that support Cabinet Members and ensure we remain resilient and responsive to the needs of our residents,” he said.

It is the second job share arrangement within the Cabinet. The first, covering Community Services and Support, has been jointly held by councillors Cyril Anderson and Hayley Gwilliam for several years.

Portfolios divided

Under the new structure:

• Cllr Fogarty will oversee the mayoralty, civic functions and commercial services, among other duties.
• Cllr Williams will take responsibility for performance, including planning, public protection, performance monitoring, customer services and licensing.

Other Cabinet members will also see their portfolios adjusted:

• Joint Deputy Leader Cllr David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Delivery, will add parks, sports development and inward investment to his existing responsibilities for health and safety and building control.
• Joint Deputy Leader Cllr Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, will now also oversee residential inward investment and strategic housing delivery.
• Council Leader Rob Stewart will work alongside Cllr Hopkins and Cllr Elliott King, Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, on tourism and regeneration, areas previously led by Cllr Francis‑Davies.
• Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, will take on EV infrastructure and sports development, while also working with the Leader and Cllr Hopkins on community regeneration and suburban centres.

Focus on residents

Cllr Stewart said the reshaped Cabinet would ensure continuity and focus.

“Swansea Council is always here for the people of our city. We’ve re‑shaped the Cabinet and brought two new members on board to make sure we remain focussed on our residents’ priorities, delivering the services that touch their lives every day.”

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