A dog-handling team working with Southampton City Council has helped seize significant quantities of illegal tobacco and vapes.

The council's trading standards team visited four premises in the city on Tuesday, March 18, as part of a crackdown on illegal products.

The dogs also helped identify three vehicles associated with the businesses, which were found to be concealing prohibited items.

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A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: "There's no such thing as a 'ruff' day in the office when the dog handlers assist our trading standards team.

The dog handling unit in actionThe dog handling unit in action (Image: Submitted) "The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes funds organised crime and undermines legitimate businesses that comply with restrictions on the supply of these products.

"The trading standards team will continue to target businesses trading illegally across the city."

Southampton City Council has pledged to continue its efforts to tackle the trade of illegal products.