New: Crack Unit to Tackle Crime on Our High Streets

I warmly welcome this Labour Government’s £30 million crackdown on dodgy shops our on high streets.

Organised criminal networks operating behind rogue barbers and vape shops will be subject to raids, shutdowns and cash seizures under a new High Street Organised Crime Unit.

Under fourteen years of Tory government police budgets were cut, our high streets were neglected, and we saw more and more dodgy businesses appearing in town centres. Some of these businesses take advantage of consumers, undercut honest business owners and give cover to criminal networks right at the heart of our communities.

The unit, overseen by Security Minister Dan Jarvis, will bring together local police with government departments and Trading Standards to tackle money laundering, tax fraud and illegal working. It will be tasked with identifying further measures to fight organised crime, with a rapid review of local responders’ powers already underway.

Our Labour Government was elected on a pledge to repair the damage and make our streets safer. This new initiative will redouble our efforts to clean up our high streets and protect working people.