New enforcement unit to crack down on gangs running vape shops, barbers and sweet stores
A new £30m crackdown targets criminal gangs operating from dodgy shops, including rogue barbers, vape stores, and sweet shops.Summary
The UK government has announced a £30m crackdown on criminal gangs operating from so-called dodgy shops, such as rogue barber shops, vape stores, and sweet shops. The initiative includes establishing a new National Crime Agency cell and a unit overseen by Security Minister Dan Jarvis, along with the recruitment of 75 new police officers. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the move aims to shut down criminal fronts, seize dirty cash, and drive organised crime off high streets. The crackdown follows a report identifying Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, and Sheffield as hotspots for such businesses. Trading Standards will receive additional funding to identify and shut down these operations, which are often linked to money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal activities. The Home Office also allocated funds for immigration enforcement and HMRC to support the initiative.
(Source：Yorkshire Post)
