Operation Cane

OPERATION CANE

Police Officers from KENT POLICE, FOLKESTONE & HYTHE COMMUNITY SAFETY UNIT have been working on OPERATION CANE over the past week.

The operation had a focus on small businesses, to improve public safety, proactively reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, ensure compliance with trading regulations, prevent illegal sales, as well as conducting Modern Day Slavery checks. 

On Tuesday 20th January 2026, Neighbourhood Task Force officers stopped a Ford Transit Van in NEWINGREEN, HYTHE whilst completing checks for Organised Immigration Crime along a route known for historic offences. 

Officers located a male suspected of tobacco smuggling where approximately 2000 x 50g tobacco pouches and approximately £30,000 in cash was located. The cash was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act and tobacco seized and handed over to Trading Standards who confirmed this to be counterfeit goods. 

On Friday 23rd January 2026, a joint working day of action with Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement officers was conducted with high-visibility, unannounced visits to a number of premises in HIGH STREET, HYTHE and FOLKESTONE TOWN CENTRE locations. 

During one premise visit in relation to Modern Day Slavery and Trading regulations, 2 x persons were located and arrested for illegal entry into the UK. 

A store area to the rear of the business premises had been used to accommodate persons to live and work at the premise location. 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service Building Control officers were also requested to attend in order to make safety assessments with a view to safeguarding visitors, customers and staff working at the premises. 

At a separate premise, a concealed ‘hide’ was found under a shop counter-top where counterfeit tobacco products were being stored for easy access to make illegal sales. Whilst officers were conducting their checks, members of the public entered the premise asking to purchase tobacco products but were told in front of officials that they did not sell any products, provoking further suspicions. 

The tobacco has been seized by Trading Standards and further actions are ongoing.

A third premise revealed a person working at the shop illegally without the necessary immigration permissions. 

The shop was instructed to be closed by Immigration Enforcement officers due to no persons able to attend the site to continuing with the usual trading. This will also be followed up with additional actions. 

The whole operation was planned by Kent Police in collaboration with Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement Officers. 

This was an intelligence based operation addressing some concerns which had been observed and highlighted to local officers from members of the public also. 

The operation was a huge success in joint working and demonstrating that we are here to support and improve our local communities together.