A CLOSED shisha bar in Blackburn was raided by police.

Officers took shisha pipes and other equipment from the former Sahara lounge in Darwen Street.

A police spokesman said officers carried out a combined operation with Blackburn with Darwen Council at 6pm on Wednesday.

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No arrests have been made and there were no safeguarding issues identified surrounding children.

A police spokesman said the raid had taken place following concerns raised about smoking and health and safety legislation breaches.

Councillor Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council Executive member for Environment, said: “The police and the council worked together on the operation and investigations are ongoing.

“Shisha cafes are a great concern to the council because of a number of issues such as smoking indoors and the health risks this poses.

“We’ve demonstrated our commitment to enforcement action against unlawful shisha premises with numerous previous prosecutions, and we will continue to take enforcement action where we suspect traders are breaking the law.

“Intelligence is essential and we invite the public to contact us if they believe that regulations are being flouted.”

Sgt Nick Everett said: “Officers had been informed by the public protection team and as a result items have been seized with a view to prosecution.”

Adi Jaber, 32, who lives in Accrington, was in the property at the time of the raid.

He said: “It used to be a shisha bar. Police must have been receiving reports it was still open.

“It was just a couple of friends sat around, watching a movie. There were about 100 shisha pipes scattered about which the police took.

“They just opened the door and came in. It wasn’t locked.”

No arrests were made.