- Police are set to gain expanded powers to close businesses linked to organised crime, such as vape shops, barbers, and nail salons, for up to a year.
- Expected later this year, new legislation will double the current six-month maximum closure period. These extended orders aim to give investigators more time to gather evidence and pursue prosecutions.
- Separately, officials are reviewing the inclusion of vape shops, barbers, and car washes on the skilled-worker sponsorship list due to concerns about potential visa system abuse.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “High streets across the country have been hijacked by criminal gangs operating in plain sight – running vape stores, dodgy barbers, and nail salons to launder their dirty money.”
- Trading Standards has revealed that organised crime groups are suspected of operating through up to half of convenience stores and vape retailers in some UK areas.
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