Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High Streets Organised Crime Unit 2026-07-13

Monday 13 July 2026 · 11 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 9 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Last year saw over 3000 illegitimate premises raided and nearly 1000 arrests.
  • The Department provided 30 million in additional funding to support a permanent national crackdown on high street crime.
  • The nationwide crackdown includes enforcement in coastal areas, with funding available to all police forces through the National Crime Agency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gill German Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question arises from concerns about the efficacy of measures against criminal activity on high streets.

Question

What assessment has been made by the Department regarding the effectiveness of the high streets organised crime unit?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Last year saw over 3,000 illegitimate premises raided and nearly 1,000 arrests. The Department provided £30 million in additional funding to support a permanent national crackdown on high street crime.

Answered
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Q2 James Asser Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question stems from the need to gather and disseminate effective local initiatives to combat high street crime.

Question

Given that there are successful local initiatives, will the Home Secretary ensure these are shared across the country?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Department is working closely with colleagues to gather and promote examples of successful local initiatives as part of a wider strategy to tackle high street criminality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Sharing specific details or timelines for sharing good practices

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Q3 Patrick Hurley Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concerns about the pace and effectiveness of Government response to high street criminal activity.

Question

When will current pilots conclude, how will success be measured, and when will all towns benefit from effective measures?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The crackdown is not a pilot but the real thing with funding available to every force area. Success means more shops closed, criminals arrested, and cash seized.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timelines for pilots and criteria for success measurement

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Q4 Matt Turmaine Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Acknowledgment of the Government's efforts to address high street crime, but a request for more information.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this Labour Government is finally dealing with high street crime?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The government has made progress in reducing knife crime and deploying additional police officers, and will continue efforts through the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement on effectiveness of current measures against high street crime

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Q5 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
Crime & Law Enforcement Business Compliance
Context

Concern about the need for tougher action against criminal activities hidden behind legitimate businesses.

Question

Can the Home Secretary update the House on measures taken to tackle criminal enterprises hiding behind businesses like barber shops, vape shops and mini-marts?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The national crackdown includes funding for officers to raid dodgy shops, trading standards, HMRC and immigration enforcement to tackle this multi-layered problem.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timelines beyond the national crackdown announcement

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Q6 Gill German Lab
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concern about ensuring that seaside towns receive the same support as larger urban centres in addressing organised criminal activity.

Question

Will the high streets organised crime unit ensure that coastal towns receive equal support against organised criminal activity?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The nationwide crackdown includes enforcement in coastal areas, with funding available to all police forces through the National Crime Agency.

Answered
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Q7 Alberto Costa Con South Leicestershire
Immigration Safeguarding & DBS
Context

Concern about the lack of response from Government regarding a nationally significant case involving human trafficking.

Question

Why has there been no response from the Home Secretary or her Ministers on an urgent meeting requested following BBC's expose of a convicted human trafficker?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Department will chase up correspondence to ensure an appropriate response is given, acknowledging that there is a live investigation and operational details cannot be shared.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or commitment for detailed follow-up on the case

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Q8 Lee Dillon Lib Dem
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question arises from concerns about high streets being under pressure, particularly in Lee Dillon's constituency where efforts to preserve local post offices are ongoing. Retail crime and antisocial behavior exacerbate these issues.

Question

High streets are already under pressure due to retail crime and antisocial behaviour. Can the Secretary of State explain how the high streets organised crime unit will address smaller market towns such as Hungerford, Thatcham, Newbury and villages like Lambourn?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

This is a national crackdown led by the National Crime Agency. Funding has been provided for all forces, regardless of area type, and they can bid for enhanced activity funding in their regions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific remit extension details not addressed

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Q9 Ashley Fox Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Bridgwater High Street faces issues with independent businesses as well as criminal enterprises such as illegal cigarette sales. There is a demand for additional police funding to tackle these problems.

Question

Will the Home Secretary provide Avon and Somerset constabulary with additional funding to address dodgy Turkish barbers and criminal enterprises selling illegal cigarettes on Bridgwater High Street?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Home Secretary acknowledges the strength of feeling across the House. The NCA is taking a lead in this crackdown, encouraging forces to apply for available funding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding amount not mentioned

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Q10 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Immigration Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The introduction of the High Street Organised Crime Unit is aimed at tackling illegal vapes on the high street. However, there are concerns that this moves the problem online with less stringent regulation.

Question

What measures will the Home Office implement to prevent illegality from moving from offline high streets to unregulated online platforms?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Home Office is working with Government partners to clamp down on illegality in online environments. The presence of criminal businesses impacts local communities, so the focus is on driving out physical location-based criminality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific enforcement measures not detailed

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Q11 Matt Vickers Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

There is a concern about rogue vape shops on high streets and their links to serious criminal activity. Government cuts to regional organised crime units are criticised.

Question

Does the Home Secretary agree that stronger powers are needed against rogue vape shops and organised crime? If so, why have funding been cut for regional organised crime units?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Government are consulting on increasing closure orders to 12 months and will soon introduce legislative measures. The Home Secretary notes that these actions were not pursued when the Liberal Democrats were in government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding cuts details not addressed

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