The convenience sector has welcomed the government’s decision to embark on a “nationwide crackdown on dodgy shops” with the announcement of a new High Street Organised Crime Unit.
The Home Office has set out new measures to back responsible retailers, including a £30m package to tackle criminal activity linked to high street businesses.
The initiative will crack down on rogue barber shops, vape stores, mini markets and other disreputable shops, alongside the creation of a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to coordinate action between enforcement agencies, government departments and Trading Standards.
The measures will increase enforcement activity on the ground, including £6m additional Trading Standards funding to enable officers to investigate and act against rogue businesses. However, the funding is unlikely to have a direct impact on Scotland, as Trading Standards is largely devolved.
The UK-wide scheme will be run by the National Crime Agency (NCA) over the next three years, with 75 new police officers deployed in the English regions of Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and Essex and Kent. No specific enforcement measures have been outlined for Scotland as yet.
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.”
ACS chief executive, Ed Woodall, said: “Local shops tell us that rogue traders on high streets are causing massive damage to their businesses and the wider community, so we strongly welcome this Government action to back responsible retailers and crack down on the organised crime gangs that are fuelling the illicit trade.”
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has welcomed the creation of the unit, but urged the Home Office to rapidly review enforcement powers, resources, and measures to keep Trading Standards officers safe.
CTSI’s recent report – Hidden in Plain Sight: Tackling Crime on the UK’s High Streets – sets out the vast and complex criminal networks that use high street shops as a front for serious and organised crime, including the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes, and counterfeit goods. They may also commit wider offences, such as money laundering, child sexual exploitation, people smuggling, and modern slavery. The report set out a series of policy recommendations, including strengthening Closure Order powers and increasing resourcing across the enforcement landscape.
John Herriman, Chief Executive of CTSI, said: “CTSI welcomes the introduction of the High Street Organised Crime Unit, which will bring together partner agencies – including Trading Standards – to tackle organised criminality on our high streets.
“The proliferation of so called ‘dodgy shops’ puts consumers at significant risk and undermines the legitimate businesses who drive economic growth across the UK. The new Unit will bring a much-needed focus to help clamp down on a blight on our high streets and communities.
“CTSI’s recent report on organised criminality on UK high streets highlighted some of the many challenges Trading Standards face and set out a series of recommendations to empower enforcement agencies to clamp down on the issue. There is an urgent need for the Home Office to rapidly review enforcement powers, resources, and measures to protect Trading Standards officers, so agencies can more effectively disrupt organised criminality.”
The announcement comes as the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has made tackling retail crime and the illicit trade its top priority in the new parliamentary session.
SGF Chief Executive Dr Pete Cheema OBE said:
“Urgently tackling the growing trend in retail crime and illicit trade will of course be our number one ask for the new government. Ensuring, not only that the funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce is secured, but also adequate provision for Trading Standards and the wider justice system.”
