New High Street crime unit to target gangs fronting shops after BBC investigation

"A new 30m High Street organised crime unit has been announced by the government after the BBC's year-long investigative reporting into illegal mini-marts, vape shops and barbers. Over 12 months BBC News exposed drug gangs, child sexual exploitation reports, money laundering, immigration crime, and ghost directors linked to shop fronts selling illegal cigarettes and illegal vapes."

"The law enforcement response will be run across the UK by the National Crime Agency (NCA) over the next three years - with a cash boost for trading standards. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) suggested cuts to its members' resources under previous governments had helped allow serious and organised crime to gain foothold in High Streets."

"Under the government plans: Shops will face raids, closures and cash seizures in a crackdown by police and trading standards over the next three years. Some 20m of funding will go towards the NCA and there will be 75 new police officers in three hotspot regions - in the Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Essex and Kent forces. 6m of funding will go to trading standards."

"The NCA estimates that at least 1bn of criminal cash is laundered through High Street stores the UK each year through businesses connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working, and illegal drug supply. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "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.""

A 30m High Street organised crime unit will be created to tackle illegal mini-marts, vape shops, and related criminal activity on UK high streets. Enforcement will be led across the UK by the National Crime Agency over three years, with additional support for trading standards. Funding will include resources for the NCA, new police officers in hotspot regions, and allocations for trading standards, immigration enforcement, and HMRC. The unit will conduct raids, closures, and cash seizures against criminal fronts. The NCA estimates at least £1bn of criminal cash is laundered through high street stores annually through fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working, and illegal drug supply. The government also plans to review and strengthen law enforcement powers, including closure orders.

Read at www.bbc.com