Operation Date is Powys’ ongoing operation to tackle the supply of illegal tobacco in the county. It is led by Powys Trading Standards and supported by a number of agencies, most notably Dyfed Powys Police. Operation Date was established and run by Littleton Murdoch, working with officers from Powys Trading Standards.
Operation Date commenced in December 2014. The work was broken down into the following elements:
A review of Operation Date was carried out three years after it started. One of the highlights of the review related to intelligence. It found that in the three years in the run up to the commencement of Operation Date, Powys Trading Standards received intelligence regarding ten possible illegal tobacco suppliers. One of those was confirmed as a supplier. During the first three years of Operation Date Powys Trading Standards received intelligence highlighting over 65 possible suppliers of illegal tobacco in the County. Over 75% of those were confirmed as illegal tobacco suppliers.
During the first three years of Operation Date, the following enforcement outcomes were secured:
Phase 2 of Operation Date is well underway with Littleton Murdoch continuing to work with Powys Trading Standards and partners to achieve ever improving excellent outcomes.
The background image on this page is a photograph taken of some of the illegal tobacco products seized, shortly before they were destroyed.
Littleton Murdoch has carried out work for Powys Trading Standards since 2014. It is a groundbreaking partnership which has led to outstanding outcomes and awards being received. Powys Trading Standards' innovative thinking has enabled Littleton Murdoch to use the experience and expertise available to them to set and achieve high standards and goals.
In 2018 Littleton Murdoch received a commendation from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute for its part in this Operation.
Operation Date commenced in December 2014. The work was broken down into the following elements:
- increasing awareness and building partnerships with other agencies
- generating and building intelligence
- developing intelligence
- conducting investigations
- taking effective enforcement action
- utilising the Proceeds of Crime Act, when appropriate
- educating and raising public awareness.
A review of Operation Date was carried out three years after it started. One of the highlights of the review related to intelligence. It found that in the three years in the run up to the commencement of Operation Date, Powys Trading Standards received intelligence regarding ten possible illegal tobacco suppliers. One of those was confirmed as a supplier. During the first three years of Operation Date Powys Trading Standards received intelligence highlighting over 65 possible suppliers of illegal tobacco in the County. Over 75% of those were confirmed as illegal tobacco suppliers.
During the first three years of Operation Date, the following enforcement outcomes were secured:
- 20 seizures of illegal tobacco products
- Over 73,000 illegal cigarettes seized
- Over 130kg of illegal hand-rolling tobacco seized
- Assets valued at over £200,000 restrained
- 6 individuals prosecuted, with convictions secured
- 10 individuals received written warnings or cautions.
Phase 2 of Operation Date is well underway with Littleton Murdoch continuing to work with Powys Trading Standards and partners to achieve ever improving excellent outcomes.
The background image on this page is a photograph taken of some of the illegal tobacco products seized, shortly before they were destroyed.
Littleton Murdoch has carried out work for Powys Trading Standards since 2014. It is a groundbreaking partnership which has led to outstanding outcomes and awards being received. Powys Trading Standards' innovative thinking has enabled Littleton Murdoch to use the experience and expertise available to them to set and achieve high standards and goals.
In 2018 Littleton Murdoch received a commendation from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute for its part in this Operation.