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.

Illicit Tobacco and Product Safety Activity 2025-26

The committee is scheduled to receive a report from Mark Keal, Head of Trading Standards, which will provide an overview of the Trading Standards activity concerning illicit tobacco, vaping products, and general product safety during the 2025-26 financial year. The report details the structure of the Trading Standards Illicit Tobacco and Product Safety Team, its funding streams, and the challenges posed by illicit tobacco and vapes in Lincolnshire. It outlines the various forms of illicit tobacco, including illicit white cigarettes, counterfeit products, and non-duty-paid goods, noting the significant price difference compared to legitimate products. The report also addresses the new regulations regarding vapes and the continued seizure of non-compliant products.

The report highlights the necessity of enforcement due to the fire risks associated with illicit cigarettes, the detriment to legitimate businesses, the undermining of Stop Smoking initiatives, and the increased likelihood of illegal sellers supplying to underage individuals. It details the evolution of enforcement strategies, moving from historical prosecution-focused approaches to a more disruptive model involving closure orders, landlord liaison, and proceeds of crime actions. The report also covers partnership working with Lincolnshire Police, Immigration Enforcement, and other agencies, as well as the intelligence gathered on tobacco, vape, and age-restricted sales. Furthermore, it details the Trading Standards Service's role in product safety, including market surveillance, risk assessment, and enforcement activities related to various consumer goods.

Community Safety Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Hannah Colclough, Scrutiny Officer, has prepared a report for the committee to consider and comment on its work programme for the coming year. The aim is 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, the Prevent Annual Report, Service Level Performance Reporting, the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership's Strategy, and updates on the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Strategy. It also lists items scheduled for later in the year, such as the HM Senior Coroner Annual Report, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Statement of Assurance, and various Trading Standards activity reports. The committee is invited to highlight any additional scrutiny activities for inclusion in the work programme.

Prevent Annual Report

Clare Newborn, Head of Community Safety Service, and Richard Clare, Strategic Prevent Lead, are scheduled to present the Prevent Annual Report. 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 details the UK's continuing threat from terrorism and the local context within Lincolnshire, which is classified as a low-risk area. It explains the Prevent strategy as part of the UK Government's CONTEST strategy, focusing on stopping individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The report outlines the multi-agency partnership group that oversees Prevent in Lincolnshire, chaired by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, and the Prevent Steering Group Delivery Plan. It highlights efforts to address online radicalisation and the safeguarding of neurodivergent young people through workshops. The report also discusses the increasing national focus on fascination with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks and its impact on Prevent referrals. It details Lincolnshire County Council's role in delivering Prevent, including training provision and its lead responsibility for Channel arrangements. The report notes that Lincolnshire has scored highly in the Home Office's annual benchmark assessment of its Prevent Duty compliance. It also covers national developments and reports that are likely to lead to revisions in Prevent guidance.