New High Street crime unit to target gangs fronting shops after investigation

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. New High Street crime unit to target gangs fronting shops after investigationJust now Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleEd Thomas ,UK editor ,Patrick ClahaneandRebecca Wearn Watch: Shops selling illegal tobacco on a Newport high street make locals feel unsafeA new £30m High Street organised crime unit has been announced by the government after the 's year-long investigative reporting into illegal mini-marts, vape shops and barbers. Over 12 months News exposed drug gangs, child sexual exploitation reports, money laundering, immigration crime, and ghost directors linked to shop fronts selling illegal cigarettes and illegal vapes. The law enforcement response will be run across the UK by the National Crime Agency (NCA) over the next three years - with a cash boost for trading standards.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) suggested cuts to its members' resources under previous governments had helped allow serious and organised crime to gain foothold in High Streets. The government has also pledged to carry out a review on how to strengthen law enforcement powers - as well as consulting on extending the length of closure orders to shut criminal businesses down for longer, an area the CTSI said needed to be changed. Under the government plans:Shops will face raids, closures and cash seizures in a crackdown by police and trading standards over the next three yearsSome £20m of funding will go towards the NCA and there will be 75 new police officers in three hotspot regions - in the Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Essex and Kent forces£6m of funding will go to trading standardsThe remainder of the funding - £3.

The Details

75m - will be spit between immigration enforcement, HMRC and the running of the unitThe NCA estimates that at least £1bn of criminal cash is laundered through High Street stores the UK each year through businesses connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working, and illegal drug supply. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "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. "Proposals for the High Street organised crime unit - which will be overseen by Security Minister Dan Jarvis - were originally outlined in the 2025 Autumn Budget but the government has now released more details.

Over the course of 12 months, News has gone undercover to expose the shocking reality of organised crime taking over our High Streets leading to an "urgent" Home Office investigation, multiple arrests across the country and pledges to change the law. In April 2025 the joined the NCA as it raided barbers, mini-marts and vape shops in response to growing intelligence reports that some of these shops are being used for money laundering and illegal working.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.