Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed bold new action by Government to crackdown on organised crime gangs exploiting Portsmouth’s high streets through rogue businesses, following his popular “Stop Dodgy Shops” campaign.
This crackdown, announced by Ministers today, will be supported by £30 million and target dodgy barber shops, vape stores, mini-marts 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 Britain’s high streets.
The Government will also create a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to coordinate action between the National Crime Agency, police forces, Trading Standards, HMRC and Immigration Enforcement.
To strengthen enforcement activity in hotspot regions, additional officers will be recruited, while Trading Standards will receive a cash boost to increase raids, inspections and enforcement action.
The crackdown builds on Operation Machinize, which has already resulted in hundreds of arrests, thousands of premises visited and millions of pounds in criminal assets seized.
These measures mark major progress for Mr Morgan’s “Stop Dodgy Shops” campaign, which was launched earlier this year to build community support to crack down on rogue traders and protect our city’s shopping streets.
The city MP joined a live operation to crackdown on illicit trade in our city’s shops joining a shift with trading standards, local police and public health as part of their ongoing investigations to protect the public.
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Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“For too long, rogue traders haven taken advantage of loopholes and weak enforcement in our city. With this new crackdown, the Government is getting on with the job of protecting Portsmouth’s high streets.
“Dodgy shops have not only damaged the reputation of our shopping streets but also driven away families and shoppers. Portsmouth’s shopping areas should not be overrun by fake shops and for criminal activity and should instead be vibrant places for families and communities.
“Today’s announcement is a campaign win for Portsmouth people and marks a major step forward that will reassure those who have given their support to this priority for our community. However, our work is not done.
“That’s why I will continue to take action working alongside others to crack down on rogue traders and protect our city’s shopping streets”.
Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood MP, 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.”
Lord Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said:
“Organised high street crime, including the illegal sale of tobacco and counterfeit goods, is damaging communities across the country. These criminal networks undercut honest businesses, draw money away from local economies and expose consumers to unregulated and potentially unsafe products. They are also often linked to wider offending, including money laundering, exploitation, and violence.
“The creation of a new High Street Organised Crime Unit will help drive a coordinated national response while strengthening local enforcement capability 6 through additional support and funding for Trading Standards, police and partner agencies on the ground, who will work together to disrupt organised offenders, protect the public and support honest businesses that play by the rules.”
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:
“The New High Street Organised Crime Unit will be welcome news for people across the country. Illegitimate businesses and retail theft are major issues and too often linked to criminal gang activity. Stolen goods are commonly funnelled through illicit supply chains and resold through unscrupulous businesses, helping fund further criminality. This harms businesses, puts colleagues at risk, and pushes up prices for honest shoppers.
“Tackling it requires prioritisation from police and government, and co-ordination and intelligence sharing between retailers, law enforcement, and local partners. We look forward to working together to deliver real progress.”
