Closure order secured for shop on High Street - appeal for victims

Closure order secured for shop on High Street - appeal for victims

A closure order has been secured for a shop on Tewkesbury High Street after it failed two test purchase operations and following reports of concerning behaviour in and around the shop.

The Tewkesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team collated evidence to apply for a closure order at Euro Express, which was granted at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court yesterday (Thursday 10 September).

This three-month closure order means the premises will be closed from 10 September to 9 December 2026, and failure to comply with the order is a criminal offence which could result in arrest.

The shop failed two test purchase operations on 13 and 20 August when vapes were sold to children, who were police cadets, and not legally old enough to purchase them.

The court heard how there have been frequent reports of anti-social behaviour both within and around the shop, as well as reports of concerning comments of a sexual nature made by an adult employee to children.

A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this and while further enquiries take place, he has been released on police bail with conditions not to enter Tewkesbury.

An investigation is ongoing and police want to hear from anyone else who may have information which could assist the case.

Sergeant Emma Francis from the Tewkesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "The community made it abundantly clear to us that they had significant concerns around this premises.

"We have conducted test purchasing operations to provide actionable evidence to those concerns which have allowed us to approach magistrates for this closure order.

"The order itself is a positive result for the local area. We know children have used this shop to buy vapes and other items, and we now also understand that when trying to purchase items they may have been subjected to concerning comments by a man who worked there.

"There is an ongoing investigation with an arrest made, and we're keen to hear from anyone who has any information which could assist the case."

Anyone with information can provide this to police online by completing the following form and quoting occurrence 53260077339 https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/