Businesses suspected of involvement in organised crime could face longer shutdowns under new government proposals targeting criminal activity on UK high streets.
The plans are aimed at premises such as vape shops, barbers, nail salons and car washes, which authorities believe are being used in some cases to conceal illegal activity.
Government says police and local authorities will be given stronger powers to close down suspected rogue businesses while investigations are carried out.
Currently, closure orders can last for up to six months. Ministers say some businesses are able to reopen before investigations are finished, allowing suspected criminal activity to continue. Under the new proposals, the maximum length of closure orders would be doubled.
The measures form part of a wider crackdown on organised crime across high streets in England and Wales. Labour have announced £30m in additional funding for police and trading standards teams, with thousands of businesses expected to be inspected.
MPs say the operation could lead to hundreds of arrests and the seizure of millions of pounds in suspected criminal assets.
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, has ordered an urgent review into whether certain business types, including vape shops, barbers and car washes, should remain eligible for skilled worker sponsorship licenses.
Businesses found to be in breach of immigration sponsorship rules could have their licences revoked.
‘High streets across the country have been hijacked by criminal gangs operating in plain sight – running vape shops, dodgy barbers, and nail salons to launder their dirty money,’ Mahmood said.
‘I have launched a nationwide crackdown to raid and close thousands of illegal businesses, arrest bosses and seize their dirty cash.’
According to the National Crime Agency, at least £12bn in criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, with around £1bn believed to be laundered through high street businesses.
Josh Nicholson, head of housing and communities at the Centre for Social Justice, said: ‘For too long, organised criminal gangs have hijacked shopfronts on our high streets and got away with it.
‘These gangs sell illegal tobacco, traffic drugs, and facilitate immigration crime from the heart of our communities, undermining the foundations of safe community life.’
‘Enforcement agencies tell us that they need stronger and faster powers to shut down these criminal shops for good,’ he continued. ‘We welcome the home secretary’s commitment to strengthening closure orders which will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the organised criminals who operate across Britain’s high streets.’
Photo: E-Liquids UK
In related news:
Leave a Reply