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<\/p>\nCommunity leaders have called on the West Australian government to take concrete action as violence and crime associated with the illegal tobacco trade spreads to the state’s Wheatbelt.<\/p>\n
York \u2014 the states’ oldest inland European settlement \u2014 draws tourists from Perth, an hour’s drive away, with its country charm.<\/p>\n
But less than three days after a convenience store opened in its historic main street, multiple people smashed its windows and caused extensive damage inside.<\/p>\n
Eight days later a car was deliberately driven into the facade and the shop was set on fire during the same month.<\/p>\n
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Three incidents occurred soon after the store opened in York. (Supplied: Shire of York)<\/p>\n
Police have linked the shop to illegal tobacco trading.<\/p>\n
Small town not immune<\/p>\n
Shire of York President Chris Gibbs said he was shocked by the attacks in the town of about 2,400 people.<\/p>\n
“It made us realise that these sorts of things can become a challenge for anyone anywhere in Australia or WA,” he said.<\/p>\n
“And we’re not immune to that.”<\/p>\n
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The store opened on York’s quaint main street. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n
Mr Gibbs said the fire could have easily spread to nearby shops in the same heritage building.<\/p>\n
“Thank God it didn’t actually take off,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’re talking about old buildings that are all joined together on a lovely main street, so [it is] very troubling to see.”<\/p>\n
Deceiving appearances<\/p>\n
Police charged a 20-year-old Wilson man over all three incidents.<\/p>\n
He is due before the Perth Magistrates Court this month.<\/p>\n
The store appeared to close after the fire.<\/p>\n
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Burn marks can be seen on bricks outside of the store. (Supplied: Shire of York)<\/p>\n
Mr Gibbs said the business applied to open as a convenience store, but the shire soon suspected it was selling more than snacks and essential items.<\/p>\n
He said the shire was limited in what it could do beyond alerting the health department and police.<\/p>\n
“Although we’re the most visible part of the levels of government, we actually have very little powers,” Mr Gibbs said.<\/p>\n
“Especially in matters like this.”<\/p>\n
Tobacco ‘menu’ offered<\/p>\n
Eight stores suspected of selling illegal tobacco and vapes have been attacked across the state in the last three months.<\/p>\n
Police have pointed to organised criminal syndicates as a suspected factor in the crimes.<\/p>\n
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A suspected attack on a Bunbury convenience store gutted neighbouring small businesses. (ABC South West WA: Jacqueline Lynch)<\/p>\n
On Sunday the WA government unveiled a plan to assemble a Department of Health taskforce, made up of retired and current police officers, to help stamp out illegal tobacco.<\/p>\n
The state said it would also deploy more staff to the Tobacco Compliance Unit, doubling inspector capacity.<\/p>\n
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A Geraldton store advertises “smoke & accessories” alongside lollies and groceries. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n
In Geraldton, about 425 kilometres north of Perth, a convenience store advertises “smoke & accessories”, alongside a smashed window.<\/p>\n
Inside, the ABC saw the display and sale of tobacco products.<\/p>\n
Reporters were also offered a menu-like document of the “puffs” and cigarettes available, along with their prices.<\/p>\n
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The ABC was offered a list of “puffs” and cigarettes available at the store. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Similar story, different town<\/p>\n
Back in the Wheatbelt, a convenience store in Northam, 35km north of York, was raided by police last month.<\/p>\n
Transnational Serious and Organised Crime detectives allegedly found and seized a “large amount” of tobacco products, including vapes, from the store on Fitzgerald Street.<\/p>\n
The shop was next door to a youth mental health facility.<\/p>\n
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Tobacco products were seized from a property next door to a youth mental health facility. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
A 26-year-old man from Langford was charged and is due to appear before the Northam Magistrates Court on January 27.<\/p>\n
Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Baker said the seizure showed WA Police was committed to dismantling organised crime operations.<\/p>\n
“Serious offences that fuel criminal networks, such as illicit tobacco distribution, pose a significant threat to community safety,” he said.<\/p>\n
“WA Police continue to have zero tolerance for these practices.”<\/p>\n
Senior Sergeant Baker said the department of health regulated illicit tobacco in WA, but police intervened when criminal conduct was detected or the community was at risk.<\/p>\n
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The proliferation of illegal tobacco stores across WA has been plain to see. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n
‘Outside problems’ in country towns<\/p>\n
Shire of Northam president Chris Antonio said alleged illicit tobacco vendors surfacing in regional areas were bringing “outside problems” with them.<\/p>\n
“It puts the members of the community at risk. We’ve seen what’s happened in other country towns and cities where there are attacks, there’s fire bombings,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully some stronger state laws come in.”<\/p>\n
Mr Antonio said, like York, all the shire could do was pass complaints onto authorities.<\/p>\n
He said the new measures were a “good first step” but WA urgently needed thorough legislation modelled off the experiences of other states and territories.<\/p>\n
The state government said changes to the\u00a0Tobacco Products Control Act, which would see WA have some of the strongest penalties in the country,\u00a0were being drafted.<\/p>\n