The UK government has announced a new £30 million High Street organised crime unit in response to a year-long BBC investigation revealing how drug gangs, money launderers, and immigration criminals are using shops like mini-marts, vape stores, and barbers as fronts.
The unit, run by the National Crime Agency (NCA) over the next three years, includes a cash boost for trading standards and will target illegal activities such as counterfeit tobacco sales, child sexual exploitation, and illegal working. The government has also pledged a review of law enforcement powers and plans to consult on extending closure orders for criminal businesses.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the crackdown aims to "shut these fronts down, seize dirty cash and drive organised crime off our high streets."
The BBC's investigation uncovered:
- Underground tunnels supplying illegal cigarettes in Hull
- Asylum seekers buying and selling mini-marts for cash
- Children as young as 11 being sexually abused in shops
- Drugs including cocaine and cannabis openly sold
The NCA estimates at least £1 billion in criminal cash is laundered through UK High Street stores annually. The new unit will add 75 police officers in three hotspot regions—Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and Essex/Kent—and allocate £20 million to the NCA, £6 million to trading standards, and £3.75 million to immigration enforcement and HMRC.
John Herriman of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute welcomed the funding as "the start of the fight-back," noting that cuts of about 50% to trading standards resources between 2011 and 2023 had allowed organised crime to flourish.
The Conservatives criticized the plan, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp arguing that Labour's policies have damaged High Streets more than 75 officers can fix.