WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols is backing a crackdown on shops and criminal gangs involved in crime, saying “I am fed up of these dodgy shops on our high streets.”
It comes as the Home Office has announced new measures to ensure organised crime gangs will be hit with raids, shop closures and cash seizures. These include rogue barber shops, vape stores, mini-marts and sweet shops. Some of these businesses are also linked to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working and illegal drug supply.
There have been numerous raids in Warrington, in particular at shops on Orford Lane.
These efforts will mean that thousands of these dodgy businesses will be raided, leading to hundreds of arrests and millions of pounds in cash seizures.
A total of £30 million of funding will crackdown on targeting money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working, with £20 million going towards an enhanced law enforcement response. There will also be a new multi-agency co-ordination cell based out of the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Overall, 75 new police officers will be recruited across the NCA and regional police units to build intelligence at a national level and increase the number of dedicated officers tackling organised crime on the ground.
A newly created High Street Organised Crime Unit has also been established to bring together government departments, policing partners and Trading Standards. This builds on strong enforcement action, such as Operation Machinize to boost the response to tackling criminal networks operating on Britain’s high streets.
Operation Machinize has already led to 2,734 premises being visited and raided, 924 individuals arrested, more than £13 million in suspected criminal proceeds being seized or restrained and over £2.7 million worth of illegal goods being destroyed.
Just a few months ago, Operation Azelea saw Cheshire Police carry out a string of raids in Warrington, leading to the closure of 4 shops and the seizure of over £400,000 of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes.
Ms. Nichols said: “I support this new crackdown on shops involved in money laundering, something I have been lobbying hard for. Warrington residents are frustrated by this blight on our high streets, shopkeepers are angry about being undercut by others not playing by the rules, and the police are tired of weak penalties and lacking enforcement action.
“This crackdown sends a clear message that we are taking back our high streets, backing local businesses and driving organised crime out of our communities. People want to feel safe and proud of their local high streets, and honest businesses should not be undercut by organised criminals operating in plain sight.”
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, added: “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.”
