The UK government has announced new measures to tackle the infiltration of organised crime gangs into high street businesses, focusing specifically on vape shops, barbers, and nail salons. The Home Office will grant police and local councils enhanced powers to close suspect establishments for up to 12 months during investigations, doubling the current maximum closure period of six months. The extended timeframe aims to prevent businesses linked to criminal activity from reopening before authorities complete their inquiries.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the scale of the problem, describing high streets as being exploited by gangs operating "in plain sight" through seemingly legitimate storefronts used for money laundering and other illicit activities. She outlined a comprehensive crackdown involving raids on thousands of illegal operations, arrests of key figures, and seizure of criminal assets. Mahmood also indicated plans to introduce legislation designed to shutter offending businesses permanently and increase penalties for those involved.

In addition to the closure powers, the government is reviewing the skilled-worker sponsorship list to consider removing vape shops, barbers, and car washes as eligible employers, aiming to reduce criminal groups’ ability to obtain visas for individuals who may facilitate illegal activities. A £30 million fund will support police and trading standards efforts to disrupt organised crime on the high street, with enforcement operations targeting thousands of businesses across the country.

Experts have highlighted the growing threat posed by these criminal networks. Josh Nicholson of the Centre for Social Justice described the problem as longstanding, with gangs using legitimate fronts to sell illegal tobacco, traffic drugs, and engage in immigration offences, thereby undermining community safety. The National Crime Agency estimated that thousands of shops nationwide could be involved in these illicit practices.

The Hair & Barber Council expressed concern that legitimate businesses are suffering due to the influx of money-laundering schemes masquerading as cut-price men’s hairdressers. Earlier this year, a Commons Business and Trade Committee inquiry called on the government to acknowledge the expanding presence of organised crime on high streets and to increase funding for local Trading Standards and police financial investigators to effectively tackle these issues.

The new measures represent a significant escalation in the UK’s response to the use of small businesses as criminal fronts, aiming to protect communities and legitimate traders from the impact of organised crime.