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High Street Shops: Illicit Activity
17 June 2026
Lead MP
Alex Ballinger
Responding Minister
Sarah Jones
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementBusiness Compliance
Word Count: 13278
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Alex Ballinger raised concerns about high street shops: illicit activity in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr. Ballinger requests that the Government consider measures like those in the Dutch Bibob Act, which allows public authorities to conduct integrity checks on individuals before granting licences or permits, and he asks for increased transparency and accountability of landlords involved in organised crime.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Mr. Alex Ballinger is concerned about the increasing number of illegal activities in high street shops, such as money laundering, counterfeit goods, and drug dealing. He cited the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's report that up to half of mini-markets and vape shops have links to organised crime. In his constituency, an undercover reporter was able to purchase cannabis, cocaine, and prescription drugs over the counter in the centre of towns, leading to public safety concerns and a decrease in legitimate trade footfall.
Baggy Shanker
Lab
Derby South
In hotspot areas, 50% of convenience stores and vape shops are linked to organised crime. My constituents in Derby South are fed up with this issue, as are legitimate business owners.
Enfield, Southgate
Charalambous highlighted the impact of illicit activity on high streets, noting that it undermines honest businesses and makes residents feel unsafe. He mentioned specific examples from his constituency, such as drug dealing and phoenix shops, and called for more investment in trading standards and financial investigators to tackle money laundering. He also suggested considering powers similar to those in the Bibob Act from the Netherlands.
Cat Eccles
Lab
Birmingham Erdington
The MP highlighted the work of Dudley trading standards officers in uncovering links to organised crime and child exploitation, leading to the closure of 31 illegal shops. She emphasised the need for extended closure order periods and accountability of landlords. Concerns were raised about the centralisation of reporting through Citizens Advice instead of directly to councils.
Gideon Amos
LD
Somerton and Frome
High streets are the heart of communities, but organised crime is exploiting them. Recent tax increases have made it harder for independent traders to survive. A BBC investigation found illegal workers being exploited, with shops selling for £18,000 and ghost directors charging fees. The Liberal Democrats want more power for councils to issue closure orders swiftly and tackle landlords who repeatedly rent to dodgy companies. Clarified a point about planning controls, suggesting that changing guidance might help enforce existing rules against shops with completely covered windows.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
My hon. Friend agrees that we need a clampdown on illegal shops and efforts to redevelop high streets for legal shops.
Vape shops have increased by nearly 1,200% in a decade with at least £1 billion of criminal cash laundered through UK high street stores annually. Welcomes the creation of the Government's high street organised crime unit but questions when further enforcement activities will be increased and what steps are being taken to connect information across agencies.
Jayne Kirkham
Con
Falmouth
The hotspot team is looking at this issue, but it is also prevalent in rural and coastal areas. The problem is spreading across the country. Ms Kirkham intervened to suggest a process allowing people to report illegal activity on high streets without fear of retribution.
Jennifer Craft
Con
Thurrock
There are suspect home goods shops in Thurrock changing hands frequently without recourse for consumers. Businesses must not evade responsibility by changing hands through Companies House. The Member highlights the proliferation of dubious shops, tax evasion, and reduced spending on trading standards. She welcomes the Government's high street organised crime unit but questions what will replace closed illegal shops to revitalise town centres.
Jim Dickson
Lab
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 recently came into effect, allowing local authorities more control over shops selling tobacco and vapes through a licensing scheme. The consultation on this should commence soon.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He highlights the issue of illicit activity impacting high streets in his Strangford constituency, noting increases in shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. He calls for dedicated foot patrols and better legal outcomes for repeat offenders. The hon. Member for Somerton and Frome raised issues of cross-border trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, highlighting the need for better cooperation with the Garda Síochána to combat paramilitary and organised crime groups. Asked the Minister to engage with the Northern Ireland Justice Minister to share ideas and improve cooperation on tackling organised crime linked to high street shops.
Jo Platt
Lab
Leigh
Communities face illegal and exploitative businesses undermining public safety, damaging high streets and eroding community pride. Support for a campaign to shut down dodgy shops has grown with over 50 Members joining the cause. Enforcing closure orders is needed but not enough; stronger enforcement powers and proper resourcing for trading standards are essential.
Jo White
Lab
Worksop
White welcomed the debate and highlighted a surge in vape shops and mini-marts in her area. She proposed recommendations including giving councils control over high streets, regulating vape and tobacco retailers through licensing schemes, investigating potential links to criminal activity, enhancing neighbourhood policing presence, and improving data sharing and intelligence co-ordination.
Jodie Gosling
Con
Warwickshire South
Jodie Gosling discussed the positive impact of Nuneaton's transformation plans on footfall and business confidence. She expressed concern about illegal activities undermining these efforts, emphasizing the need for resources to prevent such activities from arising in smaller towns. The Member is concerned about the cuts to funding for tackling rogue traders in Warwickshire, noting a £100,000 reduction over medium-term forecasts and an additional £55,000 freeze.
John Slinger
Lab
Bolton South East
The Member criticises the absence of Reform UK Members in the debate and agrees with his colleague that cuts to funding for tackling rogue traders are disgraceful.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
There are now at least 12 or 15 mini-marts in Carlisle that have wrappered windows, which contravene planning guidance requiring active windows. More should be done to enforce existing planning laws.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Neston
Mr Madders discussed the impact of illegal activity on high streets, noting that constituents are angry about the presence of illicit vape shops and mini-marts. He highlighted successful enforcement efforts in Ellesmere Port but noted these were just the tip of the iceberg. Mr Madders called for more powers for councils to permanently close rogue businesses without going to court and suggested landlords should face sanctions if their property is used illegally.
Katie Lam
Con
Harrow East
High street shops are often linked to organised crime, including money laundering and people smuggling. Trading standards seized over a million illegal vapes in 2024 alone. The problem is worsening, with 99% of trading standards professionals seeing an increase in cash-intensive businesses on high streets.
The hon. Member raises similar issues with Middlesbrough council about the town centre, calling for closer collaboration between local government and central Government.
Martin Rhodes
Con
Following a recent fire on Union Street in my constituency, there has been a call for further legislation. Enforcement and resources are crucial to tackling this issue effectively.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Ms. Nia Griffith agrees that local authority trading standards were underfunded by between 30% to 40% during the previous Conservative government, stressing the importance of funding for tackling organised crime.
Paul Waugh
Lab
Rochdale
Dodgy shops are often fronts for organised crime, including drug dealing and exploitation of children. The Government have extended closure orders from three months to a year, but there is an issue with drug paraphernalia being sold alongside sweets.
Birmingham Erdington
Paulette Hamilton highlighted the issue of organised criminal networks operating in her constituency, using shops as fronts for illegal activities. She praised local enforcement efforts but stressed the need for stronger closure powers and support for trading standards teams to prevent unscrupulous operators from reopening under different names.
Phil Brickell
Con
Birmingham Erdington
Echoes the need to learn from other countries like Holland on addressing illicit shops and calls for Home Office collaboration with HMRC, Treasury, and DfBT. The MP agreed with his colleague's point, suggesting that better information sharing between private and public sectors could enhance enforcement efforts against illegal high street activities.
Richard Foord
Con
Honiton
A vape shop in Honiton was closed and illicit tobacco seized on 17 July 2025. The change in the law to allow closure of shops for up to a year might mean these shops will close altogether.
Yemm agreed with Charalambous about rapid enforcement of laws where businesses operate without customers, indicating that residents raise concerns about such activities.
Government Response
Sarah Jones
Government Response
Addressed concerns about illicit trade across nations, acknowledging that MHCLG is looking into additional powers to close down shops and prevent their opening. The Minister thanked everyone for the debate and emphasised the ongoing work required.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.