Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, has backed new UK Government action to crack down on organised crime gangs exploiting high streets through rogue businesses.
The UK Labour Government has announced a £30 million national crackdown targeting dodgy barber shops, vape stores, mini-markets and sweet shops involved in money laundering. These shops will face raids, closure orders and cash seizures as part of a new drive to clean up our high streets.
The measures include the creation of a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to coordinate action between the National Crime Agency, police forces, Trading Standards, HMRC and Immigration Enforcement.
The UK Government will also recruit additional officers to strengthen enforcement activity in hotspot regions, while Trading Standards will receive a cash boost to increase raids, inspections and enforcement action.
The crackdown builds upon Operation Machinize, the largest operation ever conducted against economic crime on Britain’s high streets. The latest phase of that operation saw 2,734 premises visited and raided, 924 individuals arrested, more than £13 million in suspected criminal proceeds seized or restrained, and over £2.7 million worth of illicit goods destroyed.
Dame Nia Griffith MP said:
“It is important that everyone can feel safe and proud of our local high streets and shopping areas and that honest, law-abiding businesses are not undermined by organised criminals operating nearby.”
“For far too long, criminal gangs have used rogue businesses as a cover to launder money, exploit workers and bring crime onto our local streets.”
“This crackdown and the extra resources that go with it sends a clear message – we are taking back our high streets, backing small businesses and driving organised crime out of the heart of our communities.”