The trade body for independent retailers across the UK has welcomed a major new government offensive targeting organised crime on Britain’s high streets, describing illicit traders as an emerging and serious threat to legitimate local shops
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, the British Independent Retailers Association, said: “Independent retailers now face three distinct forms of retail crime – abuse of staff, theft, and the growing threat of illicit traders operating in their communities. Of these, we believe illicit trading may be the greatest long-term threat to local shops and the high streets they anchor. These criminal businesses undercut legitimate retailers, damage communities, and erode the trust that independent shops depend on. We are therefore very pleased to see targeted government action to tackle this head on.”
Mr Goodacre added: “Honest independent retailers play by the rules, pay their taxes and invest in their communities. They cannot and should not have to compete with businesses that exist to launder money and evade their obligations. This crackdown sends the right message and we will support its delivery wherever we can.”
The new High Street Organised Crime Unit will bring together the National Crime Agency, Trading Standards, and government departments to identify criminal networks operating through rogue barber shops, vape stores, mini-marts and sweet shops. An additional 75 police officers are to be recruited across the NCA and key regional forces, with £6 million ringfenced for Trading Standards in at-risk local authorities.
The NCA estimates that at least £1 billion is laundered through high street businesses each year. The most recent phase of Operation Machinize, in November, saw over 2,700 premises visited, more than 920 individuals arrested, and over £13 million in suspected criminal proceeds seized or restrained.
Bira has long campaigned on the issue of retail crime, conducting biannual surveys of its members to track the scale and impact of criminal activity on independent retailers. The association will continue to engage with government and law enforcement to ensure the experiences of independent shops are represented as this new unit develops its work.
