Bury council has pledged to take a firm stance against what it describes as a 'scourge' of 'dodgy shops' that are allegedly serving as fronts for serious criminal activities, including money laundering, modern slavery, human trafficking, and cybercrime. The council's Labour-led motion, passed unanimously, outlines a 'zero tolerance approach' to illicit trading and calls for a borough-wide summit to coordinate efforts.
Extent of the Problem
Labour councillor Michael Rubinstein, deputy cabinet lead for culture, economy and skills, told the chamber that up to 50 per cent of mini-marts and vape shops, and up to a third of American candy shops, are believed to be operating outside the law. 'When criminals take over, societies crumble,' he warned, emphasising that these establishments are not merely unpopular but deliberately break the law.
Rubinstein elaborated: 'A dodgy shop is not one which is unpopular in the neighbourhood, has a challenging appearance, or is simply unusual. It is one which operates outside the law. It is not a shop which some people may not want to go into. It is one which deliberately acts to break the law.'
Links to Organised Crime
The councillor stressed that these shops often serve as gateways for wider criminal networks. 'This is not the Godfather or The Sopranos, there is nothing glamorous about organised crime. It is money laundering, modern slavery, human trafficking, it is cybercrime, it is violence, intimidation and corruption,' he said. 'That might seem a dramatic conclusion to draw from a small corner shop, but that shop is often the gateway to a key component for wider criminal activity.'
Rubinstein highlighted the human cost, including the impact on children and young people, fear among older residents, and strain on social care and health services.
Community Concerns
The motion was put forward by Labour councillor Debra Green, who said residents had been 'increasingly contacted' her with the same question: how can these shops continue to operate? She noted that these businesses are crowding out legitimate independent retailers, family-run shops, and cafes that invest in the borough and create local jobs.
'Residents report that these premises can become focal points for anti-social behaviour, attracting groups of young people who are able to access cigarettes, vapes, and, in some cases, alcohol,' Green added. 'Nearby residents and businesses are then left dealing with nuisance, intimidation, litter, noise and disorder, damaging confidence in our town centres and making them less attractive places to visit.'
Cross-Party Support
The motion received cross-party backing, with leader of the Bury Reform group Jack Rydeheard calling the issue a 'problem on the rise.' He said: 'I'm sure that we've all walked past at least one of these shop fronts, multiple times a day in some cases, and wondered how on earth they are trading given that they're empty all the time, knowing that there will be more than likely something sinister and potentially unlawful going on in the background. Our communities deserve so much better.'
The council has now committed to convening a summit to develop a plan to tackle illicit trading and reaffirmed its support for genuine local businesses.
