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New police unit to target crime gangs fronting High Street shops
The unit will back 75 new officers and £26m for enforcement as the NCA says £1bn a year is laundered through high street shops.
- On Tuesday, the Government announced a £30 million nationwide crackdown, establishing a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to target criminal gangs operating from vape stores, barber shops and mini-marts through raids, closures and cash seizures.
- The crackdown follows a year-long BBC investigation exposing how criminals use shop fronts for money laundering, with the National Crime Agency estimating at least £1 billion is laundered annually through High Streets businesses.
- Funding includes £20 million for a new National Crime Agency cell coordinating the response, £6 million for Trading Standards to boost inspections, and 75 new police officers across Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Essex and Kent.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the initiative aims to "shut these fronts down, seize dirty cash and drive organised crime off our high streets," a move welcomed by Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North.
- The government also plans to consult on extending closure orders beyond the current three-month limit, while Security Minister Dan Jarvis urged the public to report suspicious activity, noting criminal operations often occur "in plain sight.
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Total News Sources23
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
14%
C 64%
R 22%
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