A professional sniffer dog and her team cracked down on criminal activity in two Buckinghamshire towns.

Together with Buckinghamshire Council’s public health team, Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards and the health advocacy group Live Well Stay Well Bucks, Pippa the dog took to the streets of Aylesbury and High Wycombe to educate residents about the dangers of illegal tobacco.

With the help of Pippa – a rescue dog turned sniffer dog - the public learnt how to spot the signs of the criminal health hazard, including the risks and dangers, and how to report illegal sales.

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Pippa’s handler Brad said: "Pippa is a 6-year-old rescue dog and has detected hundreds of thousands of cigarettes, significant amounts of tobacco and tens of thousands of pounds in cash.

“Stashes are often hidden behind fake walls or in unusual locations secured by electro-magnets and operated by remote control devices. Pippa was an unwanted dog, so it’s very rewarding for us to be able to use her natural abilities and train her into a ‘crime-fighting’ sniffer dog."

In addition to the health risks caused by smoking, illegal tobacco harms children and communities, councillor Angela Macpherson, Bucks Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said.

A great day working with great organisations to promote the Illegal Tobacco Campaign and how to support stopping smoking! https://t.co/57wVrubQIt

She added: "Far from being a victimless crime, the illegal tobacco trade makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families, and helps fund low-level and large-scale organised crime. People selling cheap, illegal tobacco at pocket-money prices are likely to be selling other things illegally (drugs, fake branded goods and alcohol), exposing Buckinghamshire’s children to more dangers.

"Not only does smoking remain one of the UK’s biggest causes of premature death but we also know that the availability of cheap, illegal tobacco helps recruit the next generation of smokers and undermines initiatives to help adults quit smoking."

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The street stint led by Pippa resulted in five pieces of information about illegal tobacco sales in the county and seven referrals to the Amersham – based Live Well Stay Well Bucks after the team spoke with around 100 people.

Anyone wishing to report illegal tobacco sales can do so anonymously through www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk or by calling the Illegal Tobacco Hotline on 0300 999 6 999.

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