𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

High street shops across the country are being used as a front for criminal gangs, the Home Office fears. A major crackdown to kick organised crime out of town centres is to target rogue vape shops, “candy” stores, mini-marts and barbers.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Criminal gangs have exploited our high streets to launder their dirty money and undercut honest businesses. We are hitting back with a nationwide crackdown to shut these fronts down, seize dirty cash and drive organised crime off our high streets and put bosses behind bars.” New figures from the National Crime Agency show at least £12billion of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, with £1billion laundered through high street businesses.

Some are also connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working, and illegal drug supply. Thousands of businesses are expected to be raided, hundreds of arrests made, and millions in cash seized as a national intensification campaign will be put on a permanent footing annually to drive co-ordinated enforcement across the country.

£20million of funding will go towards an enhanced law enforcement response, including establishing a new multi-agency co-ordination cell based out of the National Crime Agency (NCA).

A total of 75 specialist new police officers will be recruited across the NCA, Greater Manchester Police, West Midlands Police and a joint Kent Police and Essex Police Unit to build national-level intelligence and increase the number of dedicated officers tackling organised crime on the ground.

Trading standards will also be backed with £6million in new funding to bolster the response to sham businesses in at-risk local authorities. New officer training will be rolled out to identify suspicious businesses, strengthen business compliance, and boost enforcement.

A new High Street Organised Crime Unit has also been established to bring together government departments, policing partners, and Trading Standards.

Lord Bichard, National Trading Standards chairman, said: “Organised high street crime, including the illegal sale of tobacco and counterfeit goods, is damaging communities across the country.

These criminal networks undercut honest businesses, draw money away from local economies and expose consumers to unregulated and potentially unsafe products. They are also often linked to wider offending, including money laundering, exploitation, and violence.”

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The New High Street Organised Crime Unit will be welcome news for people across the country.

“Illegitimate businesses and retail theft are major issues and too often linked to criminal gang activity. Stolen goods are commonly funnelled through illicit supply chains and resold through unscrupulous businesses, helping fund further criminality. This harms businesses, puts colleagues at risk, and pushes up prices for honest shoppers.

“Tackling it requires prioritisation from police and Government, and co-ordination and intelligence sharing between retailers, law enforcement, and local partners. We look forward to working together to deliver real progress.”