£30 million crackdown on dodgy shops

Gloucester’s historic city centre is set to benefit from an intensive, multi-agency enforcement campaign as the Government launches a £30 million nationwide blitz against organized crime gangs operating through "dodgy shops".

As your MP, one of my top priorities is ensuring our local economy thrives and our streets remain safe. For too long, rogue operations like illicit vape shops, suspicious sweet stores, and counterfeit mini-marts have been allowed to undercut honest independent traders and fuel anti-social behaviour.

According to recent data from the National Crime Agency (NCA), an estimated £12 billion in criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, with roughly £1 billion laundered directly through high street fronts. This illicit finance funds dangerous activities, including drug supply networks and human trafficking, while eroding community safety.

This strategy is built on the framework of Operation Machinize. The latest phase of this pilot saw unparalleled cooperation across law enforcement, resulting in:

●      2,734 premises visited and raided

●      924 individuals arrested

●      £13 million+ in suspected criminal proceeds seized

●      £2.7 million+ worth of illicit and unsafe goods destroyed

Our local shops are the lifeblood of Gloucester. I want our community to feel secure and our independent businesses to operate in a fair market.